TC 


UC-NRLF 


P1A45 


REPORT  TO  DESERT  LAND  BOARD 
ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


By  JOHN  pUBUIS 

Field  Inspector 


SALBM,   ORBGON  : 

STATE  PRINTING  DEPARTMENT 

1915 


REPORT  TO 

o^i       DESERT  LAND  BOARD 

ON    ...  ,'"'/  ;,^; 

CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


WITH  SPECIAL  REFERENCE  TO 

SEEPAGE    LOSSES    AND 

CANAL  CAPACITIES 


BY  JOHN   DUBUIS 

Field  Inspector 
December  1,  1914 


SALEM,    OREGON: 

STATE  PRINTING  DEPARTMENT 

1915 


PILOT  BUTTB  CANAL  NEAR  REDMOND 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  3 

CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Synopsis  5 

Introduction     

Scope  of  investigations  8 

Personnel   8 

Description  of  Project: 

Location   9 

Water  supply  

Climatic  and  agricultural  conditions  9 

Irrigation  plan  10 

Water  Supply: 

Source 11 

Water  requirements  at  Bend  12 

Water  requirements  below  Bend  12 

Water  requirements  above  Bend  14 

Safe  Capacities: 

Definition    15 

Central   Oregon   Canal   15-16 

Laterals  of  Central  Oregon  Canal  17 

North  Canal  17 

Pilot  Butte  Canal  18 

Laterals  of  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  18 

Determination  of  the  Value  of  "N"  19 

Summary  of  Results  20 

Transmission  Losses: 

Nature  of  Problem 21 

Location  and  Description  of  Gages 21 

Discharge  Measurements  by  Current  Meter  22 

Weirs    23 

.    Method  of  Procedure  23 

Units  Used  in  Expressing  Transmission  Losses  23 

Computations    25 

North  Canal 25 

Pilot  Butte  Canal: 

Main  Canal  27 

Lateral  Systems  30 

Lateral   E   30 

Lateral  Fi  31 

Lateral  B  31 

Lateral  A21  31 

Lateral  Ci  32 

Lateral  J  32 

Summary   33 

Central  Oregon  Canal: 

Main  Canal  =. 34 

Lateral  Systems  36 

Lateral   A   36 

Lateral    D    37 

Lateral   H   38 

Lateral    I     38 

Lateral    P    39 

Summary   39 

Farmer's  Ditches  40 

Evaporation    40 


M75880 


4  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

CONTENTS— Continued. 

PAGE 
Transmission  Losses — Continued. 

Summary  of  Losses 41 

Pilot  Butte  System 41 

Central  Oregon  System 

Seepage  Conditions  on  Entire  Systems  

Comparison  of  Results  with  Other  Data  

Remedies  for  Losses  45 

Weather  Conditions  46 

Crop  Report  and  Census: 

Report    •. 47 

Percentage  of  Cleared  Land  Not  in  Cultivation  47 

Duty  of  Water  49 

Adequacy  of  System: 

General 57 

Pilot  Butte  Canal  57 

Central  Oregon  Canal  , 58 

Cost  of  Repairing  Deficiencies  in  Capacities: 

General     59 

Central  Oregon  Canal  59 

Pilot  Butte  Canal  60 

Operation  and  Maintenance: 

General    61 

Maintenance    61 

Operation     62 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 
Pilot  Butte  Canal  near  Redmond — FRONTISPIECE. 

North  Canal  25 

North  Canal 26 

Pilot  Butte  Canal,  Mile  Post  6.88  28 

Lateral  A,  Central  Oregon  Canal  36 

Lateral  D,  Central  Oregon  Canal  37 

Lateral  A10,  Central  Oregon  Canal  45 


DRAWINGS 

PAGE 

Fig.    1.     Condition  of  North  Canal,  1914  10 

'      2.     Daily  Flow  of  Deschutes  River  near  Bend,  Oregon 13 

3.  Gage  Types  22 

4.  Central   Oregon  Irrigation   Project  24 

5.  Distribution  of  Water  Diverted  at  Intake 43 

6.  Water  Diverted  at  Canal  Intakes  52 

7.  Capacities  of  Central  Oregon  and  Pilot  Butte  Canals 58 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT        5 

SYNOPSIS 

The  following  report  contains  data  relative  to  the  physical  condition 
of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company's  Project,  together  with  cer- 
tain conclusions  therefrom.  These  conclusions  in  brief  synopsis  are 
herewith  presented. 

1.  The   total   water   lost   in    transmission   through   the   canals   from 
point  of  diversion   at  the   river  to  place  of  use  on  the  farmers'  land, 
including  losses  in   farmers'  ditches,  ranges  from  67%   to   75%  of  the 
total  amount  diverted  from  the  river. 

2.  The  losses  in  main  canals  and  laterals  from  river  diversion  to 
point  of   delivery  by  the   Company  at  or  within   one-half   mile  of  the 
farmers'  land,  range  from  45%  to  57%  of  that  diverted.     Losses  in  main 
canals  alone  amount  to  from  25%  to  40%  of  the  water  diverted  from 
the  river. 

3.  These  heavy  losses  seem  to  be  due  to  the  porous,  seamy  nature  of 
the  lava  rock  which  underlies  the  greater  part  of  the  segregation,  to 
the  relatively  shallow  soil,  and  to  the  character  of  construction  of  the 
canals.     Caves,  underground  channels,  and  sink  holes  have  been  noted  in 
places  where  this  rock  is  exposed. 

Canals  have  been  built  wider  and  more  shallow  than  proper,  in  order 
to  avoid  rock  excavation.  Where  natural  depressions  were  used  the 
water  has  been  allowed  to  spread  over  large  areas.  Since  the  loss  of 
water  is  to  a  certain  degree  directly  proportional  to  the  wetted  area, 
some  of  the  excess  loss  is  the  natural  result  of  this  excess  area. 

4.  The  soil  itself  is  relatively  tight.     Recorded  losses  sometimes  run 
as  low  as  0.3  cubic  foot  per  square  foot  of  wetted  area  per  24  hours. 
Where  the  seamy  rock  is  encountered  however,  the  losses  will  run  up  to 
3.0  cubic  feet  per  24  hours,  and  in  the  case  of  the  North   Canal  the 
remarkable   figure  of   45.0   cubic   feet  per   square  foot  of  wetted   area 
was  obtained. 

5.  It  is  believed  that  in  canals  dug  entirely  in  earth  without  encoun- 
tering rock  or  gravel,  the  loss  will  be  about  0.6  cubic  foot  per  square 
foot  of  wetted  area  in  24  hours. 

6.  Evaporation   loss   in   comparison   with   seepage   and   leakage   loss 
is  so  small  as  to  be  negligible. 

7.  The  greatest  losses  are  in  the  main  canals  and  the  places  of  their 
occurrence  are  thus  easily  accessible.     From  this  and  other  data  at  hand 
it  is  probable  that  losses  in  canals  and  laterals  can  be  reduced  to  40% 
of  the  total  water  diverted  from  the  river  without  resorting  to  expensive 
methods  of  lining. 

8.  The  duty  of  water  of  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  in  90  days  may  be 
sufficient  after  the  project  is  well  settled  and  all  lands  are  under  culti- 
vation, although  the  settlers  have  been  using  more  than  this  amount.  (The 
proper  duty  for  this  or  any  project  is  not  that  which  gives  the  greatest 
crop  yield  per  unit  of  water  used,  but  must  take  into  consideration  the 
cost  of  the  land  and  water,  value  of  crops,  cost  of  labor,  and  other  invest- 
ment costs,  and  should  be  that  which  shows  the  greatest  net  profit  in 
money  to  the  farmer.     A  proper  distinction  should  be  made  between  the 
"economic  use  of  water"  and  the  "economic  duty  of  water,"  as  they  are 
not  synonymous  terms.) 


'6'  '  ORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

9.  The  present  capacity  of  the  main  canals  is  insufficient  to  water 
all  the  lands  sold  and  patented  and  listed  for  patent,  if  losses  are  not 
brought  below  40%. 

10.  The  condition  of  wooden  structures  on  the  project  is  unsatisfac- 
tory.  Many  cannot  be  expected  to  stand  five  years  longer,  and  some  have 
already  passed  the  stage  of  economic  usefulness.      The  estimated   cost 
of  replacing  these  wooden  structures  is  $130,000.     This  includes  weirs, 
headgates  and  flumes. 

11.  Insufficiency  of  maintenance   and   assumptions   of   design   which 
were  not  fulfilled  in  construction,  are  responsible  to  a  large  extent  for 
the  poor  conditions  on  this  project. 

12.  The  proper  cost  of  maintenance  and  operation  should  be  in  excess 
of   $45,000   and    should   provide   a   proper   sinking  fund   to   replace  the 
temporary  wooden  structures. 

13.  The  value  of  water   made  available  by  lessened  seepage  losses 
estimated   by   the   Department   of   Agriculture   in   Bulletin    No.    126,    is 
$3,000  per  second  foot  saved.     On  the  basis  of  sold  lands  on  the  project, 
amounting  to  45,500   irrigable  acres,  the  loss  to  the  community  repre- 
sented by  the  present  seepage  loss  as  against  the  allowable  loss  provided 
for  in  contract  is  about  $800,000.     Should  the  losses  be  reduced  to  40% 
a  saving  to  the  community  of  $500,000  would  result.    The  cost  of  reducing 
losses  even  to  30%  should  be  far  less  than  $800,000. 

14.  It  is  believed  that  a  large  part  of  the  transmission  losses  can  be 
eliminated  if  proper  maintenance  be  done  as  estimated  in  item  12  above. 

15.  Seepage  losses  must  be  greatly  reduced,  or  the  canals  must  be 
enlarged  if  all  the  lands  now  under  the  canal  system  are  to  be  watered. 
In  view  of  the  water  supply  situation  the  former  expedient  is  the  most 
advisable  and  to  accomplish  this  it  is  recommended  that  the  maintenance 
and  operation  department  be  greatly  increased  and  a  systematic  effort 
made  to  reduce  the  excess  wetted  area  of  canals,  to  discover  and  cement 
leaks  in  canals,  and  drops,  to  work  out  effective  designs  of  structure  and 
systematically  replace  the  worn-out  structures  with  better  ones,  to  the 
end  that  the  system  be  more  efficiently  operated,  that  the  maintenance 
and  operation  costs  be  decreased,  and  that  there  be  a  positive  assurance 
that  there  will  be  an  adequacy  of  capacity  to  supply  all  lands  now  under 
the  canal  system. 

16.  It  has  been  stated  in  the  past  that  engineers  as  a  rule  make  an 
allowance   of  20%   of  the  total  irrigable  lands  in  a  project  for   lands 
which  will  never  be  irrigated,  such  as  lands  taken  up  by  roads,  buildings, 
beds  of  streams,  high  land,  waste  lands,  rights  of  way  and  even  towns. 

Attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  in  the  recent  reports  on  irrigation 
projects  in  the  Northwest  including  projects  intermingled  with  and 
adjacent  to  this  project,  no  mention  is  made  of  any  such  allowance, 
although  the  matter  of  water  supply  and  irrigation  requirements  have 
been  most  carefully  considered  by  men  of  national  reputation. 

In  view  of  recent  investigations  of  this  subject  and  in  view  of  the 
methods  adopted  by  modern  engineering  practice  which  eliminates  this 
allowance  from  serious  consideration,  it  is  not  to  be  considered  on  this 
project  for  the  following  reasons: 

a.  High  lands,  waste  lands,  town  areas,  stream  bed  areas  and  some 
rights  of  way  have  already  been  eliminated  from  the  irrigable  area 
considered  under  the  project. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  7 

b.  No   practicable  rule  to  make   any   such   allowance   in   the  actual 
distribution  of  water  has  ever  been  suggested. 

c.  The  poor  condition  of  irrigation  system  and  uncertainty  regarding 
duty  of  water  render  such  allowance  unsafe. 

d.  The  following  legal  question  presents  itself:     Has  not  the  settler 
the  right  to  demand  all  the  water  his  contract  calls  for  regardless  of  the 
amount  of  land  he  has  in  cultivation?     Has  any  irrigation  company  the 
right  to   sell  water  rights  for,   say,  20,000   acres  of  land  and   provide 
water  for  only  16,000  acres  on  the  theory  that  4,000  acres  will  not  be 
in  cultivation? 

17.  Popular  opinion  is  that  after  an  irrigation  project  is  constructed 
the    difficult   work    is   over.       Experience    has    proven    that    after    the 
construction    of    an    irrigation    project    is    completed    the    real    problems 
develop,  the  correct  solution  of  which  determine  the  success  or  failure 
of  the  venture. 

18.  It  is  recommended  that  prior  to  the  active  construction  of  any 
irrigation    project    by    public    or    private    funds,    the    following    points 
should  be  given  most  careful  and  thorough  investigation,  even  though 
the  cry  for  immediate  action  and  relief  be  urgent: 

1.  Water  Supply.    Sufficiency  of  water  supply  is  absolutely  essential. 

2.  Agricultural  conditions,  climate,  character  of  crops,  character  of 

soil  and  subsoil  upon  which  an  estimate  of  duty  of  water  to 
be  based. 

3.  Market  conditions,  value  of  lands,  value  of  crops,  cost  of  living, 

etc.,  transportation  facilities. 

4.  A  financial  arrangement  which  will  be  the  most  advantageous  to 

the  farmer  and  yet  be  sufficient  to  reimburse  the  expense  of 
constructing  and  handling  the  project: 

5.  Design  of  the  proposed  works,  which  should  take  into  considera- 

tion the  following : 

a.  The  character  of  soil  and  subsoil  conditions  with  reference  to 

the  elimination  of  losses  and  to  providing  an  ample  supply 
of  water  for  lands. 

b.  Minimum    cost    for    maintenance    and    operation,    taking    into 

account  interest  on  construction  cost,  depreciation  of  struc- 
tures, ease  and  economy  in  the  distribution  and  measurement 
of  water. 

c.  The   development  of  the   project  in   small  units   whereby  the 

lateral  system  may  be  extended  as  dictated  by  sales.  (Lands 
in  any  unit,  however,  should  not  be  opened  for  sale  until  all 
the  land  in  that  unit  is  provided  with  an  ample  lateral 
system.  Thus  construction  can  be  kept  just  ahead  of  sales 
so  that  interest  charges  are  low.) 


8         REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

INTRODUCTION 

In  April,  1914,  the  writer  was  authorized  by  the  Desert  Land  Board 
to  undertake  certain  studies  as  to  the  physical  condition  of  the  canal 
and  laterals  of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Project  and  to  report 
thereon. 

The  field  work  was  carried  on  from  May  1  to  September  1,  1914, 
the  compilation  and  computation  of  data  being  done  entirely  by  the 
writer  and  his  assistants.  Whenever  it  was  possible,  cooperation  was 
had  with  the  engineering  and  operation  department  of  the  Central  Oregon 
Irrigation  Company. 

SCOPE  OF  INVESTIGATIONS 

The  main  object  of  this  investigation  was  to  determine  the  trans- 
mission losses  on  this  project.  The  work  included  the  investigation  of 
canal  capacities,  condition  of  maintenance  and  collection  of  a  crop  census. 

PERSONNEL 

This  work  was  done  under  the  direction  of  John  H.  Lewis,  State 
Engineer  and  Secretary  of  the  Desert  Land  Board. 

The  writer  had  charge  of  the  work,  and  is  glad  to  acknowledge  his 
indebtedness  to  the  following  persons  who  have  assisted  him  in  the 
collection  of  data  and  preparation  of  this  report: 

Walton  Van  Winkle,  Assistant  Secretary  of  the  Desert  Land  Board, 
for  many  valuable  suggestions  and  for  assistance  in  the  preparation  of 
this  report. 

William  A.  Schell,  Portland,  Oregon,  office  engineer. 

T.  A.  H.  Teeter,  Professor  of  Irrigation  Engineering,  Oregon  Agri- 
cultural College,  field  engineer. 

A.  E.  Perry,  Redmond,  Oregon,  field  assistant. 

Robt.  B.  Gould,  Bend,  Oregon,  special  work. 

A.  E.  Lovett,  County  Agriculturist  for  Crook  County,  reporting  on 
soil  conditions. 

A.  0.  Walker,  Alfalfa,  Oregon,  keeping  water  records  for  duty  of 
water  and  evaporation  records. 

F.  A.  Kennard,  Redmond,  Oregon,  keeping  water  records  for  duty 
of  water. 

J.  T.  Ledbetter,  Redmond,  Oregon,  keeping  water  records  for  duty 
of  water. 

The  writer  wishes  especially  to  express  his  appreciation  of  the  coop- 
eration of  C.  M.  Redfield,  Chief  Engineer,  and  C.  L.  McCauley,  Water 
Superintendent  of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company,  whose  advice 
and  personal  aid  have  been  of  great  service  in  these  investigations.  It 
has  been  a  continual  source  of  surprise  that  so  much  work  has  been 
done  by  them  with  so  little  resource  at  their  disposal,  and  it  is  due  to 
their  efficient  efforts  that  conditions  on  the  Project  are  not  far  worse 
than  they  are. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PROJECT 

LOCATION 
County:    Crook. 

Townships:    13  to  18  South  and  12  to  15  East,  Willamette  Meridian. 
Railroad  stations:    Bend,  Deschutes,  Redmond,  Terrebonne. 
Estimated  population  of  district:    5,000. 
Project  headquarters:    Deschutes,  Oregon. 

WATER  SUPPLY 

Source  of  water  supply:    Deschutes  River;  no  storage  as  yet  provided. 

Discharge  in  second  feet  for  irrigation  season,  May,  June,  July, 
August,  from  10  years'  records:  Maximum,  2,860  second  feet;  minimum, 
1,250  second  feet;  mean,  1,770  second  feet. 

CLIMATIC  AND  AGRICULTURAL  CONDITIONS 

Average  elevation:  3,300  feet  above  sea  level. 

Mean  annual  rainfall  about  14  inches.  About  three  inches  in  irriga- 
tion season. 

Temperature  ranges  from  — 19  degrees  to  102  degrees  Fahrenheit. 

Length  of  irrigation  season:     April  1  to  November  1. 

Duty  of  water:  Sufficient  for  ordinary  irrigation  purposes  April  1 
to  November  1  and  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  from  May  23  to  August  20. 

Character  of  soil:  Disintegrated  volcanic  rock  intermixed  with 
volcanic  ash,  sandy  and  silty  loam. 

Principal  products:     Alfalfa,  grain,  potatoes  and  hardy  vegetables. 

Principal  markets:     Local;  Portland,  Oregon;   Spokane,  Washington. 

LAND   CLASSIFICATION  TABLE 


Name  of  Canal 

Central  Oregon 

Pilot  Bntte 

C.  O.  &  P.  B. 

Length  of  Main  Canal 

44.15  Miles 

30.1  Miles 

74.25  Miles 

Distribution  System—  Laterals 

187.51  Miles 

175.08  Miles 

362.59  Miles 

Irrigable 
Acres 

Waste 
Acres 

Irrigable 
Acres 

Waste 
Acres 

Irrigable 
Acres 

Waste 
Acres 

Total  land  under  system 
"•Total  sold  land  
Total  unsold  land  .. 
Patented  — 
Sold  

37,134 
25,573 
11,561 

13,238 
2,391 

2,357 
435 

12,762.13 
6,753.57 
6,008.56 

2,798.53 
1,103.29 

1,152.33 
365.00 

21,348 
18,913 
2,435 

til,  975 
t   1,302 

0  3,352 

707 

10,725.91 
8,195.86 
2,530.05 

4,465.16 
1,116.87 

1,639.42 
1,127.41 

58,482 
44,486 
13,996 

f26,213 

$   3,693 

0  5,709 
1,142 

23,488.04 
14,949.43 
8,538.61 

7,263.69 
2,220.16 

2,791.75 
1,492.41 

Unsold  

§  Certified  for  Patent  — 
Sold 

Unsold 

Total  lands  deeded  26,732.06  acres 

Total  number  of  contracts  sold 1,034 

Number  of   contracts   in   force    (approximately) 950 

Number  of  deeds  issued  335 

Number  of  farms 645 

Number  of  people  on  farms  1,400 

Area  in  cultivation  in  1914  17,719        acres 

*This  does  not  include  sold  lands  under  the  proposed  extension  of  the  North 
Canal,  not  yet  watered. 

§These  lands  have  been  certified  for  patent  by  the  State  Engineer  and  are 
now  pending  before  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior. 

f  Includes  52  irrigated  acres  and  28  waste  acres  to  be  watered  by  North  Canal. 

^Includes  395  irrigated  acres  and  165  waste  acres  to  be  watered  by  North 
Canal. 

"Does  not  include  6,763.71  gross  acres  for  which  patent  has  been  applied 
without  certification. 

NOTE — Irrigable  acres  here  given  are  the  actual  irrigable  acres  on  the  land 
according  to  the  best  information  in  this  office,  proper  reductions  being  made  for 
canal  rights-of-way,  and  therefore  include  the  so-called  "excess  acreage." 


10 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


The  country  is  rolling,  covered  with  sage  brush  and  juniper  trees. 
The  predominating  geological  features  are  those  common  to  volcanic 
regions.  Dykes  of  cooled  lava,  caves  and  pumiceous  deposits  occur 
here  and  there  over  the  project. 

Pilot  Butte,  a  landmark  in  that  region  notable  for  its  regular  cone- 
like  appearance  is  evidently  a  cinder  cone  marking  approximately  the 
center  of  considerable  local  activity  in  the  past. 

The  soil  is  productive;  potatoes  and  forage  crops  do  well.  Under  the 
encouragement  of  the  Oregon  Agricultural  College  in  cooperation  with 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  no  doubt  still  greater  diversity  of  crops 
than  in  the  past  will  be  generally  practiced  with  profit  to  the  farmer. 

IRRIGATION  PLAN 

Irrigation  is  accomplished  by  gravity  flow  from  Deschutes  River. 
Two  main  canals,  the  Central  Oregon  and  Pilot  Butte  Canals,  with  their 
respective  distribution  systems,  carry  the  water  to  the  irrigable  lands. 
In  computing  areas  to  be  served  by  these  canals,  waste  land,  high  lands 
and  rights  of  way  for  canals  have  been  eliminated  from  the  gross  area, 
what  is  left  being  considered  as  irrigable  and  is  sold  as  such  to  the  settler. 


j|  Unhnect-     Seamy  Rock    C 
3OOO'  4000'  50OO' 


Profile  of  North  Canal   showing  Lined  and  Unlined  Sections  *~~y^L 


--=-.-^=^8  Concrete 


Designed     Section 
North   Canal 
Above    Drop 

A  =  116'          V  =    88  ft /sec 
"n".=  .OI3          Q=    10 tO   Sec- ft 


Designed  Section 

North    Canal 

A_Bejpw    Drop|2  &  ^ 
n"-    013  Q  =  999.2  sec- 


Fig.   1.     CONDITION  OF  NORTH  CANAL,   1914 


The  Central  Oregon  Canal  receives  its  water  supply  from  the  Pilot 
Butte  Flume,  a  wooden  box  structure  about  1.25  miles  in  length.  This 
canal  is  about  44  miles  in  length,  serving  land  in  the  vicinity  of  Bend, 
Alfalfa  and  Powell  Butte. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  11 

The  Pilot  Butte  Canal  originally  received  its  water  supply  from  the 
Pilot  Butte  flume.  Now  it  receives  its  main  supply  from  the  North 
Canal  which  diverts  water  from  Deschutes  River  about  one  mile  north 
of  Bend  at  the  North  Canal  dam. 

This  Pilot  Butte  Canal  serves  the  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  Bend, 
Deschutes,  Redmond  and  Terrebonne.  It  was  one  of  the  earliest  canals 
built  and  was  later  incorporated  as  part  of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation 
Project,  as  now  organized.  It  is  an  unlined  canal  about  30  miles  long. 

The  North  Canal  is  incomplete  as  now  constructed.  Three  main 
objects  were  contemplated  in  the  design  of  this  canal: 

First,  to  supply  the  North  Canal  Unit  lands  lying  between  the  Pilot 
Butte  Canal  on  the  west  and  lands  of  the  Central  Oregon  Unit  on  the 
east  and  south. 

Second,  to  supply  water  for  about  8,000  acres  of  land  in  the  Powell 
Butte  District  now  under  the  Central  Oregon  Canal,  by  junction  with 
this  canal  at  the  wood  stave  syphon. 

Third,  to  supply  water  to  Pilot  Butte  Canal  for  all  lands  served  by  it. 

The  North  Canal  dam  is  of  concrete  gravity  overflow  type  and  is 
located  on  Deschutes  River  about  one  mile  north  of  Bend.  The  dam  is 
curved  on  a  radius  of  179.19  feet,  about  33  feet  high  and  can  carry  a 
discharge  of  about  10,000  second  feet  with  water  five  feet  in  depth  over 
the  crest.  Water  is  diverted  at  this  dam  for  certain  power  rights  of  local 
parties,  also  to  supply  the  Deschutes  Reclamation  and  Irrigation  Com- 
pany's ditch,  commonly  called  the  "Swalley"  ditch  and  also  to  supply  the 
North  Canal  above  mentioned. 

The  North  Canal  was  designed  for  a  capacity  of  1,000  second  feet 
and  was  to  be  concrete  lined  throughout  from  the  headgates  to  the  junc- 
tion with  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal.  The  canal  has  been  excavated  this  far 
but  the  lining  is  only  about  one-third  complete. 

WATER    SUPPLY 

SOURCE 

The  water  supply  considered  herein  will  be  that  obtained  by  the  normal 
flow  of  Deschutes  River  during  the  months  of  May,  June,  July  and 
August.  The  records  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey  show  no 
fundamental  difference  between  the  discharge  of  Deschutes  River  at 
Benham  Falls  and  at  Bend  and  since  the  records  of  the  former  are  more 
complete,  they  have  been  used  to  determine  the  available  water  supply 
for  the  project. 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  flow  of  Deschutes  River  at  Ben- 
ham  Falls  for  10  years,  1905  to  1914  inclusive,  and  indicates  the  water 
supply  available  at  Bend.  The  complete  data  for  this  table  are  published 
by  the  State  and  the  United  States  in  the  Deschutes  Project  report  and 
in  the  Water  Supply  papers  of  the  United  States  Geological  Survey. 

May  June  July  August 

Maximum  in  10  years,  sec.  ft...         2,860  2,540  2,130  1,900 

Minimum  in  10  years,  sec.  ft....         1,600  1,480  1,280  1,250 

Mean  for  10  years,  sec.  ft 1,932  1,890  1,689  1,569 

Mean    monthly    discharge    in 

acre  feet  for  10  years 119,800  113,400  104,718  97,278 


12  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

Figure  2  shows  that  1,500  second  feet  can  be  depended  on  for  seven 
years  out  of  10.  The  shortage  which  occurs  in  July  and  August  of  the 
remaining  three  years  should  not  be  serious  enough  to  warrant  a 
reduction  of  the  allowable  amount  of  1,500  second  feet. 

The  relative  rights  of  claimants  to  the  use  of  the  waters  of  Deschutes 
River  has  never  been  determined  hence  it  is  impossible  to  discuss  at  this 
time  priority  of  rights  as  affecting  the  project.  In  the  following  dis- 
cussion all  rights  are  assumed  to  be  of  the  same  value  and  the  amount  of 
water  given  is  on  the  assumptions  of  use  which  are  considered  to  be  a 
minimum  claim. 

WATER  REQUIREMENTS  AT  BEND 

According  to  U.  S.  Geological  Survey,  Water  Supply  Paper  No.  344, 
the  Arnold  and  Swalley  ditches  contemplate  the  ultimate  irrigation  of 
18,000  acres  of  land  which  lie  close  to  and  intermingle  with  the  58,000 
acres  under  the  constructed  canals  of  the  Central  Oregon  Project. 
Assuming  a  duty  of  one  and  eight-tenths  acre  feet  in  90  days  for  this 
76,000  irrigation  acres  and  a  loss  of  40  per  cent  for  seepage,  this  land 
would  require  a  diversion  of  1,267  second  feet.  Smaller  rights,  such  as 
Wiest's  lateral,  City  of  Bend,  Steidl  &  Tweet,  etc.,  are  estimated  at 
about  30  second  feet,  which  makes  a  total  of  1,297  second  feet  which  is 
a  very  low  estimate  of  the  irrigation  rights  at  Bend. 

WATER  REQUIREMENTS  BELOW  BEND 

Between  Bend  and- Cline  Falls,  the  next  point  of  diversion  of  water 
from  the  Deschutes,  there  is  no  appreciable  inflow,  the  water  of  Tumalo 
Creek  being  entirely  appropriated.  The  drainage  of  the  Central  Oregon 
Project  is  generally  towards  Crooked  River  and  from  the  general  char- 
acter of  the  land  in  the  Tumalo  Project  it  is  believed  that  seepage  returns 
to  the  Deschutes,  if  appreciable  at  all,  would  not  effect  the  flow  at 
Cline  Falls.  Hence  sufficient  water  must  pass  all  the  diversions  at 
Bend  to  satisfy  rights  at  Cline  Falls.  This  amount  of  water  is  not 
definitely  known  but  may  be  estimated  as  follows:  As  estimated  in 
United  States  Geological  Survey  Water  Supply  Paper  No.  344,  power  is 
developed  at  the  Falls  to  pump  14  second  feet  of  water  95  feet  in 
elevation.  Assuming  56  per  cent  plant  efficiency  (80  per  cent  at  power 
wheel  and  70  per  cent  at  pumps),  the  power  necessary  is: 

14X9*=270H.  P. 


8.8  x  56 

For  an  effective  fall  of  20  feet  the  amount  of  water  required  is: 
270  x  8.8 


20 


=  119  second  feet 


to  which  is  added  14  second  feet,  the  amount  of  water  pumped  for  irriga- 
tion, making  a  total  of  133  second  feet.  This  appears  to  be  very  con- 
servative as  other  writers  have  variously  estimated  the  requirements  at 
from  200  to  500  second  feet. 


o 

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4.33J-PUOOSS   Ul 


14  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

WATER  REQUIREMENTS  ABOVE  BEND 

The  largest  and  most  important  of  water  rights  above  Bend  is  that 
of  the  Morson  Land  Company's  Project  at  LaPine.  This  Carey  Act 
project  derives  its  water  supply  for  about  30,000  acres  partly  from 
storage  and  partly  from  the  normal  low-water  flow  of  the  river.  It  has 
been  estimated  by  other  engineers  that  the  return  seepage  from  the 
stored  water  diversion  would  offset  the  diversions  from  the  low-water 
flow,  thus  water  rights  at  Bend  would  not  be  affected.  The  visibly 
porous  nature  of  the  soil  would  undoubtedly  warrant  this  opinion,  but 
it  is  questionable  whether  or  not  this  return  seepage  would  occur  in  time 
to  materially  add  to  the  low-water  flow  during  the  period  of  maximum 
use.  In  view  of  the  engineering  opinions  above  mentioned  and  because  of 
lack  of  data,  the  rights  of  the  Morson  Land  Company  are  neglected  for 
the  purpose  of  this  study. 

SUMMARY  OF  WATER  RIGHTS 

Summarizing  the  above  discussion,  considering  all  rights  of  equal 
value,  we  have: 

Water  rights  at  Bend 1,297  second  feet 

Water  rights  below  Bend 133  second  feet 

Water  rights  above  Bend 0  second  feet 


1,430  second  feet 

Thus  it  is  seen  that  the  water  supply  is  hardly  more  than  sufficient 
for  lowest  estimated  requirements  of  constructed  projects  and  allows  a 
margin  of  only  70  second  feet.  On  the  58,000  acres  of  the  Central  Oregon 
Project  this  extra  70  second  feet  would  allow  a  loss  of  44  per  cent  in 
this  system.  This  allows  a  shortage  of  one  year  in  every  three  and  one- 
third  years  during  period  of  maximum  use. 

As  will  be  noticed  in  the  discussion  to  follow,  the  losses  in  the  Central 
Oregon  Project  are  now  largely  in  excess  of  44  per  cent.  Therefore,  it  is 
evident  that  practically  all  the  available  summer  flow  of  Deschutes 
River  is  required  for  the  diversions  noted  above,  and  the  water  supply 
must  be  augmented  by  storage  before  any  additional  lands  can  be 
properly  brought  under  irrigation. 

In  brief  the  results  of  the  water  supply  study  are  as  follows: 

First,  the  summer  flow  of  Deschutes  River  is  just  sufficient  for  the 
irrigation  of  lands  which  are  now  served  by  constructed  projects,  includ- 
ing the  58,000  acres  under  the  Pilot  Butte  and  Central  Oregon  Canals 
provided  losses  do  not  exceed  45  per  cent  of  that  diverted. 

Second, 'storage  will  be  necessary  to  augment  the  normal  low  water 
flow  should  any  additional  projects  be  contemplated  which  will  divert 
water  from  Deschutes  River  between  Crooked  River  and  Benham  Falls. 

Third,  the  water  supply  of  Deschutes  River  is  insufficient  without 
storage  to  supply  the  93,000  irrigable  acres  in  Segregation  Lists  6  and 
19,  together  with  all  other  irrigation  rights  for  which  actual  construction 
work  has  been  started  or  completed,  unless  losses  on  the  Central  Oregon 
Project  are  reduced  to  less  than  40  per  cent. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  15 

SAFE    CAPACITIES 
DEFINITION 

For  the  purposes  of  this  report  "safe  capacity"  of  a  canal  is  deter- 
mined by  the  maximum  amount  of  water  which  the  canal  can  carry  with- 
out causing  the  velocity  of  flow  to  become  so  great  as  to  cause  serious 
erosion,  and  which  will  also  leave  sufficient  clearance  or  vertical  distance 
between  water  surface  and  top  of  bank  to  provide  against  ill  effects  of 
wave  action,  rise  in  water  surface  occasioned  by  the  regulation  of  head- 
gates,  and  the  irregular  wearing  down  of  banks  by  weathering  or  by 
trampling  of  cattle.  The  proper  clearance  between  water  surface  and 
top  of  bank  differs  with  the  width  of  bank,  character  and  amount  of 
bank  protection,  and  the  relation  between  discharge  and  water  level. 
This  relation  determines  whether  or  not  a  large  or  small  increase  in 
depth  of  water  follows  a  given  discharge. 

The  problem  of  safe  capacity  is  capable  of  a  rigid  mathematical 
solution  only  when  construction  provides  an  even  grade,  a  consistent 
cross  section,  an  alignment  void  of  excess  curvature,  and  when  the  value 
of  "n"  or  coefficient  of  channel  roughness  has  been  accurately  determined. 
Such  conditions  seldom  exist  in  practice  and  are  particularly  absent  on 
the  canals  of  this  project. 

A  careful  study  of  the  canal  under  conditions  of  high  water  will  give 
the  proper  solution  of  the  problem.  Such  studies  have  been  made  in  the 
investigation  herein  reported. 

Observations  by  the  writer  and  his  assistants  covered  a  period  of 
maximum  use  in  1913  and  1914,  during  which  time  the  canals  carried  the 
largest  amount  they  had  ever  carried.  Numerous  cross-sections  and 
discharge  measurements  were  made,  and  as  the  determination  of  safe 
capacity  has  been  on  the  basis  of  actual  performance  it  is  as  accurate 
as  is  practically  possible.  It  has  been  assumed  that  the  canal  will  be 
maintained  in  a  reasonably  thorough  manner  and  minor  deficiencies  have 
therefore  been  neglected. 

On  page  20  is  a  tabulation  of  the  values  of  "n"  as  determined  on 
the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company's  project  and  in  estimating  safe 
capacity  this  value  of  "n"  was  changed  from  the  value  assumed  in  the 
construction  profile  where  conditions  clearly  pointed  out  that  such  a 
change  would  be  necessary. 

CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 

The  Pilot  Butte  Flume  diverts  water  from  Deschutes  River  about 
four  miles  above  Bend.  It  originally  supplied  both  Central  Oregon  and 
Pilot  Butte  Canals  but  since  the  construction  of  the  North  Canal  it  sup- 
plies the  Central  Oregon  Canal  alone,  together  with  only  about  30 
second  feet  for  other  rights.  The  flume  is  a  wooden  structure  about  16 
feet  wide  by  5  feet  deep,  and  about  6,680  feet  long  on  a  grade  of  .002. 
The  original  structure  was  built  during  1903  and  1904;  and  in  1904  and 
1905  was  enlarged  to  its  present  dimensions. 

The  flume  is  constructed  with  light  timber,  poor  footings,  and  other 
poor  details  of  design  so  that  the  writer  estimates  for  it  a  normal  life 
of  15  years,  although  ordinarily  the  life  of  such  structures  would  be 
from  15  to  20  years.  The  fact  that  the  present  flume  was  made  by 


16 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


enlarging  a  smaller  flume  accounts  in  a  large  measure  for  the  quality  of 
design.  With  continued  maintenance  and  under  favorable  conditions  of 
use,  the  flume  may  last  a  few  years  longer.  The  irrigation  company  has 
made  some  good  repairs  and  in  spite  of  the  yearly  deterioration,  the 
flume  may  safely  carry  for  a  short  time  what  it  once  carried,  namely, 
530  second  feet;  but  a  continuous  load  of  more  than  450  second  feet  is 
not  considered  advisable. 

In  the  first  seven  and  one-half  miles  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal, 
below  the  Pilot  Butte  Flume,  a  careful  survey  was  made  and  cross-sections 
taken  every  200  feet,  to  determine  the  safe  capacity  of  the  canal. 

The  original  design  of  this  canal  provided  for  a  two-foot  clearance 
between  water  surface  and  top  of  bank.  This  was  a  proper  requirement 
when  the  canal  was  first  constructed  but  where  the  banks  have  now 
become  compact,  and  other  conditions,  such  as  width  of  bank,  depth  of 
water,  etc.,  are  favorable,  it  seems  proper  to  allow  less  clearance. 
Accordingly,  and  in  view  of  the  present  financial  condition  of  the 
company,  the  writer  has  decided  to  allow  1.5  feet  clearance 
instead  of  two  feet,  except  where  local  conditions  would  make  the  larger 
clearance  advisable.  In  earth  sections  without  bank  protection  the  max- 
imum safe  velocity  is  considered  to  be  not  greater  than  2.4  feet  per 
second.  In  all  cases  it  has  been  assumed  that  the  canal  would  be  properly 
maintained  from  year  to  year. 

The  last  column  in  the  following  table  gives  the  capacities  of  Central 
Oregon  Canal  as  determined  on  the  above  basis.  The  canal  has  less 
capacity  in  some  few  places  than  that  indicated  in  the  table  and  in  others 
it  has  a  greater,  but  the  deficiency  or  surplus  is  of  slight  extent  and 
hence  is  not  considered  sufficiently  important  to  warrant  any  change  in 
the  rating  given.  Efficient  maintenance  will  easily  remedy  any  of  the 
minor  deficiencies. 

CENTRAL    OREGON    CANAL 
Capacities  in   1914 


Lateral.System 

Irrigable 
acreage 
under     ' 
lateral 

Total  irr.  acres 
sold,  patented  or 
listed  for  patent 
under  0.  O.  canal 
at  intake  of  lateral 

Required  Capacity  of  main 
canal  in  second  feet 

Safe  Capacity 
in  1914 
sec.  feet 

30  per  cent 
losses 

40  per  cent 
losses 

A         ... 

5,292 
1,319 
2,498 
1,868 
2,765 
606 
1,694 
628 
3,158 
4,156 
374 

6,191 

30,549 
25,257 
23,938 
21,440 
19,572 
16,807 
16,201 
14,507 
13,879 
10,721 
6,565 

6,191 

436 
362 
342 
307 
279 
245 
232 
207 
198 
153 
94 

89 

510 

420 
400    - 
357 
326 
280 
270 
242 
231 
178 
110 

103 

440 

36:> 

356 

286 
286 
284 
280 
280 
190 
144 
130 

130 

B     

c 

x>           

Dl 

E    
F    

G 

H                  

1          

j 

Powell 
Buttes  

In  1912,  L.  R.  Allen,  acting  under  authority  of  the  Desert  Land  Board, 
inspected  and  reported  on  the  capacity  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal.  His 
report  showed  a  material  shortage  of  capacity  in  the  main  canal  and  his 
conclusions  were  confirmed  in  1913  by  the  writer,  who  as  inspector  for 
the  Desert  Land  Board  made  additional  studies  on  this  canal  in  company 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  17 

with  C.  M.  Redfield,  chief  engineer  of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation 
Company.  In  the  fall  of  1913,  enlargement  work  was  undertaken  by  the 
company  under  the  writer's  inspection.  Bad  weather  forced  a  discon- 
tinuance of  the  work  before  it  was  completed,  and  accordingly  additional 
enlargement  was  made  in  1914.  Certain  structures  which  were  pointed 
out  by  the  writer  as  being  deficient  were  repaired  and  as  a  final  result 
the  capacities  above  mentioned  were  obtained,  at  a  cost  of  approximately 
$14,000.00. 

Though  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company  was  unable  to  obtain 
new  money  to  expend  upon  these  canal  enlargements,  they  were  financed 
by  the  release  to  the  company  of  settlers'  notes  held  on  deposit  with  the 
Desert  Land  Board,  to  the  amount  of  the  cost  of  the  work  performed 
each  month. 

LATERALS  OF  CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 

In  the  short  time  and  with  the  limited  funds  available,  an  intensive 
study  of  all  laterals  was  impossible;  however,  five  of  these  laterals  were 
carefully  selected  and  it  is  believed  the  results  obtained  fairly  represent 
average  conditions  on  the  project.  In  estimating  the  required  capacity 
of  these  laterals  a  duty  of  one  second  foot  to  80  acres  was  used.  The 
proper  clearance  between  the  tops  of  the  bank  and  water  surface  in 
laterals  of  from  10  second  feet  to  50  second  feet  capacity  was  taken  as 
one  foot  but  where  extremely  favorable  conditions  existed  .slightly  less 
than  this  was  allowed. 

On  this  basis  the  safe  capacity  of  Lateral  I  was  found  to  be  less  than 
the  required  capacity.  When  44  second  feet  was  flowing  at  the  intake, 
it  was  found  that  at  many  places  the  water  was  less  than  one  foot  from 
the  top  of  the  bank  and  in  one  place  there  was  less  than  three  inches 
clearance.  Hence,  the  safe  capacity  at  the  intake  was  estimated  at  40 
second  feet,  provided  maintenance  would  repair  the  worst  places.  The 
low  places  occur  so  frequently  that  to  completely  overcome  the  deficiency 
would  require  more  than  ordinary  maintenance. 

Lateral  D  also  appeared  to  be  somewhat  deficient  near  the  intake, 
but  since  it  can  be  easily  repaired  in  the  course  of  maintenance,  no 
further  mention  need  be  made  of  it. 

As  a  rule  the  lateral  systems  are  ample  in  capacity,  needing  only  to 
be  properly  maintained. 

NORTH  CANAL 

The  specifications  under  which  the  first  section  of  the  North  Canal 
was  constructed  call  for  a  fully  concrete-lined  canal  of  1,000  second  feet 
capacity,  as  far  as  its  junction  with  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal. 

In  construction,  the  greater  portion  of  this  canal  was  left  unlined 
(see  Figure  1),  and  the  maximum  amount  of  water  it  has  ever 
carried  is  340  second  feet.  This  maximum  discharge  was  maintained 
for  only  a  few  minutes  because  of  damage,  which  threatened  to  become 
serious  to  the  inadequately  protected  banks.  After  observing  the 
behavior  of  the  canal,  both  during  this  test,  and  many  times  before  and 
since,  the  writer  is  convinced  that  a  continuous  flow  of  306  second  feet 
is  all  that  the  canal  can  safely  carry  under  present  conditions. 


18 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


PILOT  BUTTE  CANAL 

In  1914,  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  carried  the  largest  amount  of  water 
it  had  ever  yet  received.  An  examination  of  the  canal  made  during  this 
period  showed  such  a  large  extent  of  low  banks  and  such  poor  general 
condition  that  it  was  decided  to  adopt  the  maximum  discharge  carried 
during  the  season  as  its  maximum  safe  capacity,  as  far  down  as  Lateral 
C4.  Below  this  point  the  maximum  capacity  is  believed  to  be  in  excess  of 
the  amount  carried  in  1914,  and  is  better  represented  by  the  figures 
given  in  the  accompanying  table  in  the  last  column.  A  small  deficiency 
which  was  in  evidence  at  about  the  26-mile  post  during  1913 -was  repaired 
in  time  for  the  irrigation  season  of  1914. 

CAPACITY   OP   PILOT   BUTTE   CANAL 


Lands 

Total  lands 
under 

Required 

capacity  of  i 
second-feet 

lain  canal 

Actual 
safe 

Lateral 

under  lat- 
eral—acres 

P.  B.  Canal 
at  intake 
of  lateral 

Losses 
30  per  cent 

Losses 
40  per  cent 

Losses 
50  per  cent 

cavity 

A3     . 

44 

21,388 

306 

356 

428 

280 

A4      

352 

21,344 

305 

355 

427 

280 

A4-1 

124 

20,992 

300 

350 

420' 

280 

A6 

654 

20,868 

298 

348 

•       417 

276 

AlO 

166 

20,214 

289 

337 

404 

245 

A12 

855 

20,048 

286 

334 

400 

245 

A 

973 

19',193 

274 

320 

384 

245 

Al5 

47 

18,220 

260 

304 

364 

238 

A17 

44 

18,173 

259 

303 

363 

238 

Al6 

921 

18,129 

258 

302 

362 

205 

A21 

919 

17,208 

246 

286 

344 

200 

A27 

227 

16,289 

233 

272 

326 

200 

B2                              

719 

16,062 

230 

268 

321 

150 

B                

2,438 

15,343 

219 

256 

307 

150 

Bi            

414 

12,905 

184 

215 

258 

130 

B3      

73 

12,491 

178 

208 

250 

130 

Ci     

318 

12,418 

177 

207 

248 

130 

c  

2,954 

12,100 

173 

202 

242 

130 

C4      

102 

9,146 

131 

152 

183 

*130 

D    

62 

9,044 

129 

150 

181 

129 

D2 

339 

8.982 

128 

149 

180 

128 

E 

581 

8,643 

123 

144 

173 

123 

E2 

119 

8,062 

115 

134 

161 

115 

D3 

562 

7,943 

113 

132 

159 

113 

F 

3,752 

7,381 

105 

123 

148 

105 

Gl 

114 

3,629 

52 

61 

73 

52 

G 

1,079 

3,515 

50 

59 

70 

50 

I 

275 

2,436 

34 

40 

49 

34 

J            

1,585 

2,161 

31 

36 

43 

31 

K        

576 

576 

8 

10 

12 

8 

*  From  Lateral  C4  to  Lateral  K  canal  capacity  seems  to  be  ample  for  30 
per  cent  losses  with  good  maintenance. 

LATERALS  OF  THE  PILOT  BUTTE  CANAL 

As  under  the  Central  Oregon  Canal,  certain  representative  laterals 
were  chosen  for  study  and  the  estimates  based  on  a  duty  of  one  second 
foot  to  80  acres.  Lateral  E  was  found  to  be  deficient,  due  more  to  lack 
of  maintenance  than  to  any  fundamental  insufficiency  of  design.  More 
than  the  usual  amount  of  maintenance,  done  with  more  care,  should  put 
this  lateral  in  good  shape.  The  lateral  systems  as  a  whole  seem  to  have 
been  originally  of  ample  size,  but  in  many  places  they  have  not  been  well 
maintained. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


19 


DETERMINATION  OF  THE  VALUE  OF  "N" 

The  flow  of  water  in  open  channels  is  affected  by  the  fall  or  grade, 
section,  or  size  and  shape  of  channel,  and  a  certain  quantity-figure 
which  takes  into  account  the  degree  of  roughness  of  the  channel  or  the 
frictional  resistance  it  offers  to  the  water  flowing  in  it.  This  quantity- 
figure  has  been  called  "n"  and  is  used  by  engineers  in  general  to 
indicate  the  degree  of  roughness  of  a  channel. 

When  all  the  above  factors  regarding  a  channel  are  accurately  known, 
the  flow  of  water  at  any  stage  can  be  accurately  determined  but  when 
any  one  of  these  factors  is  uncertain  or  missing  such  determination 
becomes  uncertain  or  impossible. 

Therefore,  to  determine  the  capacity  of  any  channel  we  must  have  an 
accurate  discharge  determination  of  the  canal  when  running  at  full 
capacity  or  else  we  must  know  the  grade,  the  area  of  cross  section,  wetted 
perimeter  and  the  proper  value  of  "n."  Kutter's  formula  which  contains 
"n,"  and  is  used  to  ascertain  the  value  of  any  of  the  above  factors  when 
all  the  others  are  known,  can  be  found  in  almost  any  book  of  hydraulics 
or  civil  engineer's  pocketbook. 

Determinations  of  the  value  of  "n"  were  made  on  the  main  canals 
and  some  of  the  laterals  and  flumes.  Discharges  were  measured  by 
current  meter  measurements  or  by  weir  measurement  and  slopes  by 
level  and  chain.  The  results  given  here  are  good  enough  for  practical 
purposes  but  variations  in  condition  of  canals  were  such  that  the  results 
are  subject  to  slight  changes. 


TABLE*  SHOWING  VALUES  OF  "N"  AS  DETERMINED  ON  MAIN  CANALS 


Name  of  lateral 
or  canal 

Discharge 
in  second 
feet 

Mean 
velocity  feet 
per  second 

Value  of 
"n"  in 
Kutter's 
Formula 

Remarks 

Central  Oregon 

Canal  — 

Mile    Post      4  

290 

1.87 

.042 

Channel  very  rough.     Curvature 

may   have    some   effect. 

Mile    Post      7..  . 

216 

1.45 

.036 

Channel  rough  ;  rock  bottom. 

Mile    Post      8..  .  . 

199 

1.49 

.038 

Channel  rough  ;  rock  bottom. 

Mile    Post    12..  .  . 

161 

1.84 

.030 

Channel  rough  ;  rock  bottom. 

Mile    Post    13..  .  . 

158 

1.58 

.030 

Channel  rough  ;  weeds  bottom. 

Mile    Post    15..  .  . 

141 

2.48 

.030 

Channel  rough  ;  rock  bottom. 

Mile    Post    17  

121 

2.20 

.028 

Some  erosion  of  banks  occuring 

Mile    Post    19i/2    . 

76 

2.12 

.025 

Alignment   good. 

Pilot  Butte 

Canal  — 

Mile  Post     6.88.... 

187 

2.05 

.042 

Very      rough  ;      canals      like      a 

stream    bed. 

Mile  Post     8  ... 

182 

1.73 

.049 

Mile  Post     9  

168 

2.30 

.036 

Mile  Post   10  

174 

2.22 

.030 

Smoother     section  ;     banks     rip- 

rapped. 

Mile  Post  12  ... 

154 

1.88 

.034 

Mile  Post   13  

152 

1.86 

.030 

Mile  Post   14  

144 

1.88 

.049 

Mile   Post   18  

125 

2.48 

.035 

Mile  Post   19  

97 

1.84 

.025 

20 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


VALUES  OF  "N"  ON  SMALLER  LATERALS 


Laterals 

Discharge 
second  feet 

Value  of 
"n" 

Remarks 

Under  Central  Ore- 
gon System  — 

13 

43.00 
17.00 

.024 
.0195 

Fairly  good   condition. 

H 

6.00 

.022 

Smooth   section. 

D6     

.035 

Small    ditch  ;    weeds    and    grass 

D    . 

4.00 

.022 

growing. 

P         

7.83 

.032 

Rock  and  hardpan  bottom. 

Under    Pilot    Butte 
System  — 
B    

27.00 

.025 

Fairly  good   shape. 

B17      

4.00 

.019 

Excellent  section. 

B14      

2.50 

.020 

In  good  condition. 

Bis     

1.00 

.024 

Some  rock. 

Fl     

.060 

Weeds. 

E     

,040  to  .060 

Badly   grown   up   with  weeds. 

Ci     

5.00 

.022 

In  good  condition. 

J3          

1.60 

.021 

Flumes  on 

Size 

Value  of  "n" 

Remarks 

Lateral  E 

1x2 

.017 

Some    silt    in    bottom  ;     leaking 

Lateral  B                   

8'xlK' 

.014 

badly. 
Alignment  poor.      Built  in   1906. 

Lateral  J 

8'x8" 

.020 

Very    poor    shape,    dirt    put    in 

flume   to   stop   leaks. 

SUMMARY  OF  RESULTS 

The  values  of  "n"  on  the  main  canal  are  found  to  be  much  larger 
than  in  the  original  plans,  the  reason  being  that  the  construction  left  the 
canal  with  a  very  rough  rock  bottom. 

On  the  smoother  sections  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  below  the  12- 
mile  post  the  values  indicate  construction  practically  as  assumed  in  the 
original  design. 

On  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  the  values  of  "n"  are  like  that  of  the 
natural  water  channels,  especially  in  the  upper  portion  and  truly  reflect 
the  type  of  construction  which  prevails  in  that  portion. 

The  values  of  "n"  in  laterals  average  .022,  when  adverse  conditions 
do  not  exist.  Under  the  adverse  influence  of  weeds  and  rocks  the  value 
ranges  from  about  .035  to  .060. 

The  flumes  tested  here  seem  to  give  unusually  high  values  of  "n." 
This  is  caused  by  the  settlement  of  bents,  deposits  of  silt  and  general 
poor  condition  of  the  flumes  tested.  The  small  flumes  seem  to  be  gen- 
erally in  poor  condition.  The  larger  flumes  appear  to  be  better  main- 
tained although  they  are  not  altogether  exempt  from  criticism. 

In  some  cases  the  value  of  "n"  proved  to  be  less  than  the  assumed 
value  and  the  resulting  high  velocities  make  bank  protection  necessary. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  21 

TRANSMISSION    LOSSES 

NATURE  OF  PROBLEM 

The  problem  involved  under  the  head  of  transmission  losses  was  the 
accurate  measurement  of  the  inflow  and  outflow  waters  from  any 
section  of  canal  or  lateral,  the  difference  being  the  amount  lost  in  trans- 
mission by  seepage,  leaks  and  evaporation.  To  this  end,  gages  were 
established  at  the  intake  and  discharge  end  of  each  section  to  be  studied, 
except  where  the  measurement  of  water  was  already  provided  for  by  the 
presence  of  a  weir,  and  all  other  inflow  or  outflow  was  measured  mainly 
by  weirs. 

LOCATION  AND  DESCRIPTION  OF  GAGES 

For  many  years  the  United  States  Geological  Survey  has  maintained 
gages  at  the  intakes  of  the  Central  Oregon  and  Pilot  Butte  canals,  and 
since  1913  a  gage  has  also  been  maintained  at  the  intake  of  the  North 
Canal.  These  gages  are  so  located  that  they  measure  practically  all 
waters  diverted  from  the  river  and  passing  down  the  canals  in  which 
they  are  located. 

The  discharge  ratings  as  made  by  the  United  States  Geological 
Survey  were  used  in  connection  with  these  gages,  except  in 
the  case  of  the  North  Canal  gage.  During  the  periods  of  investigation 
this  latter  was  affected  by  back  water  caused  by  the  choking  of  the 
channel  below  the  gage  with  rock  for  bank  protection.  The  change  in 
rating  caused  by  this  back  water  was  less  than  five  per  cent  of  the 
discharge  indicated,  but  it  was  decided  to  make  the  correction  in 
computing  loss  determinations. 

Previous  to  the  arrival  of  the  writer  in  the  field,  the  chief  engineer 
of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company  had  caused  to  be  established 
gages  as  follows: 

On  Pilot  Butte  Canal— At  6.88-mile  post,  15.50-mile  post,  and  21.00- 
mile  post. 

On  Central  Oregon  Canal — At  2.56-mile  post,  5.02-mile  post,  7.51-mile 
post,  9.00-mile  post,  11.00-mile  post,  12.17-mile  post,  14.92-mile  post, 
16.81-mile  post,  19.50-mile  post,  22.39-mile  post,  26.60-mile  post,  and 
28.60-mile  post. 

Additional  gages  were  established  by  the  writer  on  the  Pilot  Butte 
Canal  at  10.10-mile  post  and  at  the  18.00-mile  post,  and  the  gage  at  21.00- 
mile  post  reestablished.  A  10-foot  Cippoletti  weir  at  the  25.5-mile  post 
on  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  and  a  15-foot  Cippoletti  weir  at  the  34.00-mile 
post  on  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  completed  the  hydrometric  control  of 
the  system. 

As  the  work  progressed  it  was  found  advisable  to  abandon  all  the 
gages  on  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  except  those  at  11.00,  19.50  and  22.39- 
mile  posts,  as  some  were  improperly  located  and  because  time  would  not 
permit  the  making  of  sufficient  discharge  measurements  to  rate  so 
many  stations. 

An  attempt  was  made  to  so  locate  the  gages  that  the  discharge 
measurements  could  be  made  by  wading,  where  there  was  quiet  water 
and  where  change  of  section  through  scour  or  deposit  of  silt  did  not 
occur.  It  was  not  possible  in  all  cases  to  fulfull  these  requirements  and 
hence  the  gages  above  mentioned  had  to  be  abandoned. 


22 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


The  gages  established  by  Mr.  Redfield  consisted  of  two-inch  by  four- 
inch  pine  timbers  painted  white  and  marked  in  feet  and  tenths  by  burn- 
ing with  a  hot  iron.  (See  Fig.  1  of  Fig.  3.) 

Those  established  by  the  writer  are  copies  of  the  "Steward"  staff 
gage  in  use  by  the  United  States  Reclamation  Service,  the  figures  and 
lines  being  painted  in  black  on  a  six-inch  plank  painted  white.  These 
planks  were  nailed  to  posts  in  the  canal  and  braced  to  the  bank.  (See 
Fig.  2  of  Fig.  3.)  The  Steward  gage  proved  generally  more  satisfactory. 


Company  Ga§e 

n§i 

Fig.    3. 


Steward  Ga§e 

Fl§  2 
GAGE    TYPES 


DISCHARGE  MEASUREMENTS  BY  CURRENT  METER 

A  Price  Current  Meter  No.  1706  with  interchangeable  penta  and 
single  point  head,  with  wading  equipment,  was  used  in  determining  the 
velocity  of  water.  This  meter  was  rated  by  the  United  States  Geological 
Survey  in  January,  1914,  at  the  rating  station  at  Chevy  Chase,  Maryland. 

A  tag  line  of  oiled  silk,  marked  every  two  feet,  was  stretched  across 
the  canal  at  the  point  of  measurement.  Sounding  and  velocity  measure- 
ments were  made  at  each  two-foot  mark  or  oftener  if  the  canal  was  less 
than  20  feet  wide.  Two  velocity  determinations  were  made  at  each  sound- 
ing station,  one  at  two-tenths  and  one  at  eight-tenths  of  the  total  depth. 
The  average  of  these  furnished  the  mean  velocity  in  that  vertical  section 
and  the  average  of  two  adjacent  vertical  sections  was  applied  to  the  area 
inclosed  for  the  discharge  in  any  particular  two-foot  section.  The  sum 
of  these  discharges  in  the  two-foot  sections  across  the  channel  gave  the 
discharge  past  the  total  section. 

Meter  rating  comparisons  were  made  from  time  to  time  against  weirs 
or  other  rated  meters  and  no  change  in  rating  was  found  to  occur  during 
the  season. 

A  complete  rating  of  a  gaging  station  requires  measurements  to  be 
made  at  low  water  as  well  as  high  water.  The  water  in  the  canal 
remained  at  such  a  constant  stage  throughout  the  season  that  a  complete 
rating  was  not  possible.  However,  for  the  stage  of  the  water  which 
existed  during  the  actual  seepage  determinations,  excellent  ratings  were 
obtained  which,  within  the  limits  of  this  investigation,  were  as  accurate 
as  if  complete  ratings  had  been  made. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  23 

WEIRS 

Weirs  have  been  installed  by  the  Irrigation  Company  at  nearly  all 
diversions  from  the  main  canal,  but  not  all  farmers'  deliveries  are  thus 
provided  with  measuring  devices.  The  weirs  are  wooden  and  of  Cippoletti 
type,  but  are  not  provided  with  sharp  metal  crests.  When  new  and 
properly  placed  they  make  excellent  measuring  devices,  but  the  wooden 
crests  soon  become  dulled  and  thus  subject  to  considerable  error  when  low 
heads  of  water  are  used.  However,  with  high  heads  this  error  is  small. 

In  computing  discharges,  the  following  standard  formula  was  used: 

Q  =  3.367  LH% 
0,  =  discharge  in  second  feet 
L  =  length  of  weir  crest  in  feet 
H  =  head  on  weir  in  feet 

Tables  of  discharge  calculated  by  the  above  formula,  for  different 
values  of  L  and  H,  are  printed  in  a  small  pamphlet  entitled  "Measure- 
ment of  Irrigation  Water,"  issued  by  the  United  States  Reclamation 
Service.  This  pamphlet  also  contains  a  table  of  corrections  for  velocity 
of  approach  and  submergence  which  was  used  by  the  writer  whenever 
necessary. 

Temporary  weirs  were  installed  on  unweired  diversions  wherever 
practicable.  These  were  Cippoletti  type,  metal-crested  weirs  so 
constructed  that  they  could  be  quickly  installed,  taken  up,  and  used  again. 

In  most  instances  a  carpenter's  level  was  used  to  check  the  location 
of  the  nail  or  block  on  which  the  measurement  of  head  on  weir  was  made. 
This  nail  or  block  was  located  in  the  still  water  back  from  crest  in  order 
to  avoid  the  effect  of  contraction  of  water  over  the  crest. 

METHODS  OF  PROCEDURE 

The  main  canals  being  too  long  to  be  covered  by  one  man  in  one  day, 
they  were  divided  into  sections,  each  section  so  chosen  that  one  man 
could  complete,  in  a  single  working  day,  the  work  necessary  to  measure 
all  the  inflow,  diversions  and  outflow  in  that  section.  Measurements  were 
made  beginning  at  the  upper  end  of  the  section  and  reading  all  diversions 
consecutively  down  the  canal.  A  large  number  of  the  weirs  were  affected 
by  either  submergence  or  velocity  of  approach,  which  had  to  be  measured 
and  recorded  by  the  observer;  thus  it  was  found  that  10  to  12  miles  per 
day  was  about  a  day's  work  for  one  man. 

Ordinarily  the  regulation  of  headgates  and  hence  the  change  in  the 
flow  of  water  during  the  day  has  a  tendency  to  cause  inaccuracies  in 
measurements  of  this  kind.  The  method  used  and  the  unusually  constant 
amount  of  water  flowing  prevented  serious  trouble  from  this  cause  in  the 
measurements  on  the  main  canals.  However,  on  the  lateral  system  regu- 
lation caused  some  trouble  and  some  records  were  discarded  from  the 
final  computations  on  that  account.  Sufficient  readings  were  made  in 
all  cases  until  data  checked  and  dependable  results  were  secured. 

Water  records  were  taken  on  forms  designed  for  the  purpose  and 
they  proved  a  great  aid  to  speedy  and  accurate  work. 

UNITS  USED  IN  EXPRESSING  TRANSMISSION  LOSSES 

Two  units  are  generally  used  in  expressing  seepage  or  transmission 
losses.  One  is  expressed  in  cubic  feet  per  square  foot  of  area  of  canal 
section  in  contact  with  water  in  24  hours,  which  is  the  same  thing  as 


24 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


R.  13  E. 


PROJLCT  MAP 
CENTRAL    OREGON   PROJECT 

(Ca-y    Act) 

Showing    Transmission  Losses  in 

Canals  and   Laterals 
-CSi 


-j  —  - 

Legend 

Casio/  Losses  <n  Cu.  ft  per  ^4  frours per  S?  ft  of  Mfeffect  Area 
La/ens/  System  Losses  in  tercentage  of  Wafer  D/i*?rte&  from 

Ma,n  Cono/ 


Fig.   4.      CENTRAL  OREGON  IRRIGATION  PROJECT 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  25 

depth  per  day  on  wetted  area.  The  other  unit  is  expressed  as  per  cent 
of  inflow  per  mile  of  canal.  In  view  of  the  general  use  of  both  units  by 
other  investigators,  losses  are  expressed  in  both  units  in  this  report. 

COMPUTATIONS 

Computations  were  checked  by  some  one  other  than  the  person 
originally  making  them.  A  system  of  filing  data  was  adopted  and  every 
effort  was  made  to  eliminate  errors. 

NORTH  CANAL 

The  North  Canal  as  now  constructed  delivers  water  to  the  Pilot  Butte 
Canal  at  about  6.50-mile  post.  The  amount  of  land  which  must  be  served 
by  this  North  Canal  delivery  is  practically  21,000  acres,  requiring  with 
30  per  cent  allowance  for  transmission  losses,  305  second  feet  and  for 
50  per  cent  losses,  427  second  feet. 

(See  Project  Map,  Fig.  4,  for  general  location  of  canal.) 
'      The  North  Canal  has  been  built  for  about  7,460  feet,  of  which  2,140 
feet  has  been  lined,  leaving  about  5,320  feet  yet  to  be  lined. 


NORTH    CANAL 

(Showing  erosion  of   riprapped  banks) 
(Lined  section  in  background) 

In  1913,  shortly  after  the  canal  had  first  been  used,  a  break  occurred 
in  the  unlined  section,  evidently  near  one  of  the  subterranean  channels 
peculiar  to  this  region.  In  order  to  close  this  break  in  a  permanent 
manner,  the  canal  was  lined  for  about  50  feet,  but  the  walls  were  not 
carried  to 'the  full  height  of  nine  feet.  The  incompleted  canal  has  been 
used  for  the  seasons  of  1913  and  1914  and  the  high  velocity  was  such 
that  much  of  the  riprap  was  destroyed.  This  riprap  was  placed  on  one- 
quarter  to  one  slope  as  backing  for  the  lining.  Its  destruction  caused 
the  banks  to  be  seriously  cut. 


26 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


On  August  8,  measurements  were  made  to  discover,  if  possible,  the 
amount  and  location  of  the  losses  in  this  canal.  Accordingly,  in  coopera- 
tion with  Mr.  Redfield,  measurements  were  made  at  the  United  States 
Geological  Survey  gage,  at  Boyd's  Bridge  and  at  the  cement  lining  just 
a  few  feet  above  Pattie's  Drop.  (See  Fig.  1.) 

The  results  were  as  follows: 

TABLE  NO.    1 


Station 

^Discharge 
second  feet 

Difference 
second  feet 

Length 
of  section 
lineal  feet 

Estimated 
wetted  area 
acres 

Loss  in  ft. 
depth  per 
day  of  wet- 
ted area 

United    States    Geological 

Survey  gage,  section  1.. 
At    Boyd's    Bridge,     sec- 
tion  2                    

301 
297.6 

3.4 
36.4 

1,800 
2,700 

1.0 
1.6 

6.8 
45.5 

Pattie's   Drop 

261  2 

About  28  per  cent  of  section  one  is  unlined  and  it  is  quite  likely 
that  the  larger  part  of  the  loss  in  this  section  occurs  in  this  28  per  cent. 


NORTH   CANAL 
(Riprap  destroyed  by  erosion.     Fall  of  1913) 

Section  two  is  almost  entirely  unlined  and  runs  through  a  very  seamy 
rock  cut.  A  portion  is  partly  in  earth  protected  by  riprap.  A  cave  at 
Pattie's  Drop  indicates  the  presence  of  an  underground  channel  into 
which  the  rock  seams  open  and  which  undoubtedly  causes  hign  losses  at 
this  point. 

No  satisfactory  operation  of  this  canal  can  be  expected  until  it  is 
lined  in  some  substantial  manner.  The  overbreak  on  the  canal  has  been 
quite  heavy  and  before  lining  considerable  riprapping  must  be  done  or 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  27 

an  excessive  amount  of  concrete  will  be  used.  The  writer  estimates  that 
an  equivalent  of  six  inches  of  concrete  is  necessary  to  accomplish  the 
contract  requirement  of  four-inch  thickness  of  concrete  lining. 

The  following  estimate  of  cost  is  based  on  the  above  assumptions. 

ESTIMATED    COST    OF    COMPLETING    CONCRETE    LINING    ON    THE 
NORTH  CANAL 

2.532  cubic  yards  concrete  lining  at  $12.50  per  yard $31,600 

Cleaning  out  canal  and  removal  of  rock  projections  estimated  at  4,000 

yards  at  75  cents  per  yard  3,000 

5,000  lineal  feet  of  back  fill  or  dry  wall  for  concrete  lining  estimated 

at  $1.00  per  lineal  foot 5,000 

Proper  repair  of  old  lining 3,000 


$42,600 
Engineering,    superintendence   and   other   overhead    charges,    contingencies 

20  per  cent  8,520 


$51,120 

According  to  the  supplemental  report  on  the  North  Canal  by  Mr, 
Lewis  in  Oregon  Cooperative  Work,  Bulletin  No.  1,  Deschutes  River 
Projects,  only  42  per  cent  of  this  amount  is  chargeable  to  the  Pilot  Butte 
Canal,  which  proportion  amounts  to  $21,470  or  $1.02  per  acre  for  the 
21,000  acres  under  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal. 

In  order  to  make  this  canal  carry  350  second  feet  in  a  substantial 
manner,  somewhat  less  than  this  sum  is  necessary.  By  building  a 
cemented  rubble  masonry  wall,  about  six  feet  high,  through  the  section 
of  the  canal  in  earth  cut,  and  by  using  cement  mortar  in  some  of  the 
worst  seams  in  the  rock  cut,  cleaning  out  the  canal  and  making  this 
masonry  wall  strong  enough  to  withstand  high  velocities,  the  result  can 
be  accomplished.  The  following  estimate  is  based  on  the  construction 
described  above,  which  will  provide  a  safe  carrying  capacity  for  the 
needs  of  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal.  This  construction  will  serve  as  backing 
for  later  concrete  lining  and  will  reduce  the  cost  thereof. 

ESTIMATED    COST    OF    GROUTTL'D    PAVING    OR    CEMENTED    RUBBLE 
MASONRY  LINING  FOR  NORTH  CANAL 

4.000  square  yards  of  rubble  wall  at  $3.00 $12,000 

Cleaning   out   canal,    removing   rock   projections 3,000 

Cementing    leaks    1,000 

Engineering,    inspection    and    contingencies,    20    per    cent 3,200 


$19,200 

This  is  practically  90  cents  per  acre  but  the  type  of  construction  may 
require  slightly  increased  maintenance  cost  over  the  concrete  lining  as 
provided  for  in  the  other  estimate. 

PILOT  BUTTE  CANA^L 
Main  Canal 

The  Pilot  Butte  Canal  was  constructed  about  1904.  It  originally 
obtained  its  water  supply  through  a  large  flume  about  three  miles  south 
of  Bend.  Since  the  construction  of  the  North  Canal,  very  little  water  is 
carried  by  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  above  its  junction  with  the  North  Canal. 

A  number  of  determinations  of  loss  were  made  on  the  main  canal 
between  6.88-mile  post  and  25.5-mile  post. 

The  following  table  shows  the  results  of  three  seepage  loss 
determinations : 


28 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


TABLE   NO.    2— SEEPAGE  LOSSES   ON  MAIN   PILOT   BUTTE    CANAL 


June  26 

July  17 

August  15 

Inflow 
second  ft 

Outflow 
second  ft. 

Inflow 
second  ft. 

Outflow 
second  ft. 

Inflow 
second  ft. 

Outflow 
second  ft. 

Inflow  at  6  88  mile  post 

245  00 

250  00 

263  00 

Outflow  at  25.5  mile  post. 
Diversions   to    lateral 
between    

Miscellaneous  inflow 

25  93 

30  22 

30.00 
160.20 

1  53 

161.12 

22~ 

153.30 

68 

Loss  in  seepage  and 
evaporation 

59  48 

66  70 

73.48 

Totals    

246.53 
24.3% 

246.53 

250.22 

26.7% 

250.22 

263.68 
28.0% 

263.68 

Loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow 
at  6.88  mile  post  

PILOT   BUTTE   CANAL,    MILE   POST    6.88 
(Excessive  wetted  area  permitting  large  seepage  loss) 

The  Pilot  Butte  Canal  *as  originally  constructed  took  full  advantage 
of  water  courses  and  draws  and  is  aptly  described  by  some  of  the  older 
inhabitants  as  "a  chain  of  ponds."  Its  condition  was  evidently  greatly 
improved  by  the  present  company  but  the  excess  wetted  area  has  not  yet 
been  eliminated.  A  relatively  large  increase  in  wetted  area  accompanies 
a  small  increase  in  depth  of  water  in  the  canal,  and  thus  the  concurrent 
increase  in  loss  is  partly  explained  both  as  to  amount  and  as  to  per  cent 
of  inflow. 

A  survey  of  the  canal  was  made  shortly  before  the  determination 
of  losses  on  August  15,  which  survey  determined  the  actual  wetted  area 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


29 


02      "3 

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38" 


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abcg    *- 


C 

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30 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


of  the  canal.  Accordingly  an  intensive  study  of  the  canal  was  made 
from  data  obtained  on  this  date  to  determine  the  relative  losses  in  each 
section  and  the  result  of  this  study  is  shown  in  Table  3  below. 

To  show  the  excess  wetted  area  the  following  table  is  compiled. 
The  wetted  area  given  under  heading  of  "Survey  1914"  was  computed 
from  a  survey  of  the  water  surface  area  by  Robert  B.  Gould,  of  Bend, 
Oregon,  under  the  writer's  direction. 


Mile  post  to  mile  post 

Wetted  area  in  acres 

Amount 
in  excess 
acres 

Miles  in 
section 

Per  cent  of 
present 
wetted  area 
in  excess 

Company 
profiles 

Survey 
1914 

6.88  —  10.1 

16.38 
16.28 
12.25 
23.90 
16.05 

25.20 
20.04 
16.61 
32.26 
19.30 

8.82 
3.76 
4.3.6 
8.36 
3.25 

3.22 

3.07 
2.33 
5.50 
4.50 

35.0% 
18.7% 
25.2% 
25.8% 
16.8% 

10.1     —  13.17 

13.17  —  15.50 

15.50  —  21.00  . 

21.00  —  25.50  

Total  .. 

84.86       113.41 

28.55 

25.2% 

The  excess  wetted  area  cannot  account  for  all  losses  in  the  Pilot 
Butte  Canal.  Caves  and  underground  channels  into  which  sink  holes 
open  must  undoubtedly  be  responsible  for  a  large  amount. 

It  seems  that  many  cracks  and  sink  holes  open  into  underground 
caves  or  passages  and  if  water  gets  into  these  it  is  lost  from  the  system. 
Excess  wetted  area  increases  the  opportunity  for  the  water  to  find 
these  places  and  thus  to  leak  away. 

Between  15.50  and  21.0-mile  posts,  the  canal  seems  to  have  an  imper- 
vious bottom  and  although  the  wetted  area  is  excessive  the  loss  is  small. 
Passing  the  21-mile  post  the  canal  makes  a  drop  over  a  rock  bluff  and 
losses  are  high  again.  From  this  point  north  to  Crooked  River  and 
west  to  Deschutes  River  caves  and  sink  holes  are  found,  some  of  which 
are  used  to  receive  waste  water  from  the  ends  of  the  laterals.  This 
waste  water  thus  disposed  of  does  not  reappear  on  the  segregation. 

Lateral  Systems 

Each  individual  lateral  system  was  studied  as  a  unit,  the  inflow  and 
outflow  being  measured  by  Cippoletti  weirs.  A  number  of  runs  were 
made  to  check  results,  to  avoid  unusual  conditions,  and  to  eliminate 
errors.  As  customary  in  weir  measurements,  corrections  were  made  for 
submergence  and  velocity  of  approach. 

Records  of  loss  determinations  of  each  individual  lateral  system  are 
given  below. 

LATERAL    E 

Location:  Sections  3,  10,  15,  16,  T.  15  S.,  R.  13  E.  W.  M. 
Condition:  Grown  up  with  weeds.     Poor  condition  of  maintenance. 

RECORD  OF  LOSSES 


June  20 

June  22 

June  23 

Inflow  at  intake  in  second  feet  

4.47 

4  74 

4  74 

Diversion   from   system   

2  81 

2  94 

2QO 

Loss  in   system 

1  66 

1   80 

Loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow  

31  1   % 

38  0   % 

382    °f 

Average  loss,  37.8%.  Weather  conditions:  Cool  and  cloudy.  Length  of 
laterals  studied:  5  miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  581.  Required  capacity 
at  intake,  1  second  foot  to  80  acres:  7.25.  Estimated  safe  capacity,  second  f  eet  • 
5.0.  Maximum  recorded  discharge  in  1914:  5.80.- 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


31 


Comment:  Low  safe  capacity  due  to  poor  maintenance.  Lateral  has 
low  grade  and  slow  velocity,  permitting  silting  growth  of  weeds  and 
excess  wetted  area. 

LATERAL  F-l 

Location:  Sec.  33,  T.  14  S.,  R.  13  E.,  between  Redmond  and  Terre- 
bonne. 

Condition:    Badly  grown  up  with  weeds.  Excess  wetted  area. 

RECORD    OF   LOSS 


June  24 


July  11 


Inflow  in  second  feet  at  intake        

1.42 

1.78 

Outflow  in  second  feet  

.69 

.87 

Loss  in   second  feet  

.73 

.91 

Loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow 

51  4   % 

51  1   % 

Average  loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow,  51.2%. 

Weather  conditions:  Sunshine,  warm,  except  24th  of  June,  which  was  cloudy. 
Length  of  lateral  studies:  1.2  miles.  Acres  under  lateral  (approx.)  :  55  acres. 
Capacity:  Sufficient  with  contract  duty  delivery  to  serve  55  acres. 

Comment:    This   short   lateral   has   a   low   grade,   resulting   in 
velocities,  silting  and  growth  of  weeds,  hence  losses  are  heavy. 


LATERAL   B 

Location:   Sees.  6,  7,  18,  19,  30,  31,  T.  15  S.,  R.  13  E.  W.M.;  Sees.  12, 
13,  24,  T.  15  S.,  R.  12  E.  W.  M.;  Sees.  30,  31,  T.  14  S.,  R.  13  E.  W.  M. 
Condition:    Good.    No  material   shortage  in  capacity.    Flumes  poor. 

RECORD  OP  LOSSES 


July  2 


JulyS 


July  6 


Inflow  at  intake,  second  feet           

24.77 

23.79 

27.37 

Total  diverted  from  system,  second  feet  
Total   loss   in   system,    second  feet   

18.02 
6.75 

17.91 
5.88 

20.58 
6.79 

Loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow  

27.3   % 

24.7   % 

24.8   % 

Average  loss:  25.6%.  Weather  conditions:  Sunshine,  warm.  Length  of 
laterals  studied:  17.5  miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  2.438.  Required 
capacity,  duty  1  second  foot  to  80  acres:  30.5  second  feet.  Safe  capacity  at 
intake:  30.5  second  feet.  Maximum  recorded  discharge  at  intake,  season  1914: 
27.37  second  feet. 

Comment:  This  canal  system  is  characterized  by  a  long  main  lateral. 
On  the  system  as  a  whole  but  little  trouble  from  silt  or  weeds  is  found. 
The  prevailing  velocities  seem  to  be  higher  than  in  lateral  F,  and  silting 
and  weed  growth  is  less. 

As  long  as  the  duty  of  water  remains  the  same  no  serious  trouble 
from  deficient  capacities  should  be  expected.  A  few  places  on  the  sub- 
laterals  or  main  laterals  which  might  limit  the  safe  discharge  to  a  figure 
below  that  recorded  can  be  easily  taken  care  of  by  maintenance. 

LATERAL    A-21 

Location:    Sees.  2  and  11,  T.  16  S.,  R.  12  E.  W.  M. 
Condition:     Little  silt  or  weeds. 


32 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


RECORD  OF  LOSSES 


July  17 

July  20 

Inflow  at  intake  in  second,  feet                                         

6.26 

6.10 

Diversions  from   system                       .  . 

5.26 

5.11 

Loss  in  system 

1  00 

99 

Loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow  

16.0   % 

16.2% 

Average  loss:  16.1%.  Weather  conditions:  Bright  sunshine.  Length  of 
laterals  studied:  3.25  miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  919.  Required  capacity 
at  Intake:  12+. 

Comment :  System  is  compact  and  in  fairly  good  shape  and  losses 
are  low. 

LATERAL  C-l 

Location:  Sees.  20,  29,  T.  15  S.,  R.  13  E.  W.  M.  South  of  Redmond, 
Oregon. 

Condition:   Fairly  good;  some  silt  and  weeds. 

RECORD  OF  LOSSES 


June  29 


July  11 


Total  inflow  at  intake    second  feet 

5.15 

4.97 

Total  diversions,  second  feet       ..                    

4.35 

4.52 

Total  loss,  second  feet  

.80 

.45 

Total  loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow  

15.54% 

9.05% 

Average  losses:  12.25%.  Weather:  Sunshine,  warm.  Length  of  canal:  2.25 
miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  318.  Required  capacity  at  1  second  foot  to 
80  acres:  4.00  second  feet.  Capacity:  Ample. 

Comment:  This  small  lateral  is  an  example  of  what  can  be  expected 
in  soils  having  relatively  tight  substrata.  Throughout  this  region  losses 
are  low.  As  a  rule  the  velocities  are  not  low  and  the  banks  in  good 
shape. 

LATERAL    J 

Location:    Sees.  10,  13,  14,  15,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  T.  14  S.,  R.  13  E. 
W.  M.     North  of  Redmond  and  east  of  Terrebonne. 
Condition:    Built  too  large;  silted  and  weedy. 

RECORD  OF  LOSSES 


July  13 


July  14 


July  15 


Inflow  at  intake,   second  feet  ... 

10.90 

8.02 

7  79 

Total   diversions,    second   feet    

7.75 

5.75 

5  29 

Total  losses    second  feet 

3  15 

2  27 

2  50 

Total  loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow 

28  8  % 

28  3   % 

32   1     °/n 

Average  loss:  29.8%.  Weather:  Sunshine,  warm.  Length  of  canals  studied: 
10  miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  laterals:  1,585  acres.  Required  capacity  for 
•duty  of  1  second  foot  to  80  acres:  20  second  feet.  Safe  capacity:  20+.  Maximum 
water  carried,  1914:  19.3  second  feet. 

Comment:  This  canal  was  evidently  built  to  serve  a  larger  area  than 
is  now  included  under  it.  As  a  result  a  large  canal  must  carry  a  small 
amount  of  water  with  consequent  large  wetted  area  and  large  losses. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


33 


Summary 

Summarizing  the  results  of  the  above  data,  eliminating  C-l  and  F-l, 
the  following  table  is  given: 


Mean  of 

Remarks 

Lateral 

Miles  of 
canal  in 

loss  deter- 
mination 
per  cent 

of  inflow 

at  intake 

E      5 

37.8 

Low  velocities,   excess   wetted   area.   Door 

maintenance,  weeds. 

B 

17.5 

25.6           Long  main  lateral.     Fairly  good  gen 

f»ral 

conditions. 

J       

10 

29.8 

Excess  wetted  area.     Some  weeds. 

A21 

3.25 

16.1 

Short  compact  system.    Good  country 

The  weighted  mean  of  the  above  determination  is  27.60.  Taking 
into  account,  however,  the  fact  that  records  on  small  laterals  show  from 
10%  to  50%  loss,  and  that  A-21  and  B  were  in  excellent  country  for 
low  losses,  while  the  larger  portion  of  the  laterals  run  through  a  soil 
permitting  high  losses,  the  writer  decided  to  take  30%  as  representing 
the  losses  in  the  lateral  systems  under  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal. 

To  show  the  losses  as  effected  by  the  character  of  the  material 
through  which  the  canal  is  excavated,  the  following  table  is  presented: 

LOSSES   IN   LATERALS   OF   PILOT   BUTTE   CANAL   SYSTEM 


Lateral 

i 

ss 

II 

o 

Year  built 

Miles  of  canal 
tested 

Loss  per  mile 
in  per  cent 
of  inflow 

Daily  loss  per 
square  foot 
of  wetted 
area 

Classification  of  material  through 
which  canal  is  built,  and  general 
condition  when  tested 

1.  B    (main)    
2.  J    (main)    

3.  A21  (main).... 
4.  Cl    (main)    .... 

5.  B16  

25.31 
8.92 

5.61 

5.06 

4.73 

1906 
1906 

10 
5.35 

1.85 
2.25 

1.25 

1.31 
3.48 

4.25 
5.45 

10  5 

0.48 
0.36 

0.45 
0.685 

1  34 

5%  cemented  gravel,  75%  vol- 
canic soil,  20%  rock  bottom. 
70%    volcanic    soil    and    loose 
rock,  30%  volcanic  sand. 
Disintegrated  volcanic  rock. 
Volcanic  soil  on  side  with  rock 
bottom  on  steep  grade. 
One  rock  drop  of  about  20  ft 

6.  E   (main)    
7.  B7 

4.65 
4.29 

1906 

3.2 
4  20 

10.0 
7.4 

0.78 
0  79 

50%    soil,    50%    solid    rock 
bottom. 
60%  volcanic  sand  on  side  of 
ledge,   40%   soil. 
90%  volcanic  soil    10%  rock 

8.  B14  

2.56 

1.00 

20.8 

1.70 

Same  as  B7 

9.   A21-9   

•  1.80 

.65 

16.0 

10.  Ell  

11.  Fl  .. 
12.   J13 

1.72 

1.60 
1  59 

1906 

.80 

1.17 
1  48 

43.6 
10  0 

.59 

1.44 
45 

1270  ft.  flume,  300  ft.  ditch  in 
sand. 
Loose  rock  and  volcanic  sand. 

13.  B5 

1  54 

75 

26  0 

1  39 

Same  as  B7 

14.   J3   
15.  B19  

1.42 
1.11 

1906 

1.80 
.50 

16.1 
10  8 

65 

Same  as  Fl. 
Volcanic  sand    ledge  rock 

16    J8 

1  00 

1  25 

35  2 

1  15 

17.  B16-3 

94 

1  00 

39  4 

2  20 

drops. 

18.  B6  ... 

.78 

.75 

15.4 

.52 

sand. 
Volcanic  sand 

19.   A21-10   .. 

.79 

.40 

47.3 

20.  B9 

73 

50 

13  8 

45 

21.  B17 

68 

63 

28  2 

1  37 

22.  A21-7 

21 

70 

129  5 

Same  as  B6 

34 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 
Main  Canal 

The  gaging  section  of  the  U.  S.  Geological  Survey  on  the  Central 
Oregon  Canal  is  located  in  a  flume  at  about  0.5-mile  post,  and  measures 
all  the  water  passing  into  the  canal.  It  has  been  rated  by  the  U.  S. 
Geological  Survey  and  the  official  measurements  have  been  used  in 
preparing  the  following  table,  which  presents  the  result  of  a  determin- 
tion  of  losses  occurring  throughout  33%  miles  of  the  canal  on  the  dates 
indicated.  The  outflowing  and  diverted  water  was  measured  over 
Cippoletti  weirs,  correction  being  made  for  submergence  and  for  velocity 
of  approach,  where  present. 


June  13,  1914 

August  14.  1914 

August  20.  1914 

Inflow 

Outflow 

Inflow 

Outflow 

Inflow 

Outflow 

Inflow  in  second  feet  at 
United     States     Geo- 
logical   Survey    gage 
0.5-mile  post  
Total  net  diversions  and 
outflow     between     .5 
and  34-mile  post 

313.00 

330.00 

248.00 

333.00 

253.72 
79.28 

231.77 

Total  second  feet  loss 
in  33%  miles  of  main 
Central  Oregon  Canal 

81.23 

82.00 

Totals 

313.00 
26% 

313.00 

330.00 

24% 

330.00 

333.00 

23.8% 

333.00 

Total    loss    in    per    cent 

Weather  conditions  were  normal  except  on  June  13,  which  was 
cloudy  and  cool.  The  mean  loss  is  24.9%  of  the  inflow.  In  1913,  meas- 
urements showed  a  loss  of  33%,  and  while  they  are  not  as  accurate  as 
the  results  of  1914,  they  serve  to  show  a  decrease  in  the  seepage  losses 
on  this  canal  in  1914. 

For  further  intensive  study  of  seepage  conditions,  this  canal  was 
divided  into  three  sections.  Except  where  a  weir  could  be  used,  as  at 
the  34-mile  post,  and  where  a  station  had  already  been  rated  by  the 
United  States  Geological  Survey,  as  at  the  0.5-mile  post,  gaging  stations 
were  installed  at  the  beginning  and  end  of  each  section  and  carefully 
rated. 

The  table  on  the  following  page  presents  the  results  of  this  study: 

In  contrast  to  the  losses  in  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  the  percentage  losses 
in  Central  Oregon  Canal  decrease  as  the  season  advances  and  with  the 
increase  in  water  flowing.  This  can  be  explained  as  follows: 

The  Central  Oregon  Canal  has,  as  a  rule,  well-defined  banks,  in 
contrast  to  the  poorer  construction  of  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal. 

Recent  enlargement  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  has  improved  these 
conditions,  and  leaks  which  were  opened  up  in  construction  have  been 
efficiently  closed. 

High  velocities  occurring  in  Section  II  caused  an  erosion  of  banks, 
the  material  thus  obtained  being  carried  to  and  deposited  in  Section  III, 
thus  helping  to  close  leaks. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


35 


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REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


Lateral  Systems 

Each  lateral  system  on  this  canal  was  studied  as  a  unit.  On  each 
system  a  number  of  control  runs  was  made.  Where  at  all  feasible, 
unweired  deliveries  or  diversions  were  provided  with  temporary  weirs. 
In  all  computations,  corrections  for  velocities  of  approach  and  sub- 
mergence were  made.  The  following  tables  show  results  of  measure- 
ments on  the  individual  laterals. 

LATERAL    A 

Location:  Sees.  13,  14,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  34,  35,  36,  T.  17  S., 
R.  12  E.;  Sees.  18,  19,  T.  17  S.,  R.  13  E.;  Sees.  2,  3,  T.  18  S.,  R.  17 
E.  W.  M. 

Condition:  Runs  through  a  rocky  region.  Leaks  common.  Laterals 
constructed  with  a  large  proportion  of  excess  wetted  area.  Numerous 
drops  uncontrolled. 

RECORD    OF    LOSSES 


July  23 


July  24 


July  25 


Total  inflow  at  intake  in  second  feet  

44.40 

41.71 

42.28 

Total  diverted  from  system,  second  feet  

27.24 

27.43 

2').  87 

Total  loss  in  system    second  feet 

17.16 

14.28 

12.41 

Loss   in   per   cent   of   inflow 

38.60% 

34.20% 

29.40% 

• 

Average  loss:  34.2%.  Weather  conditions:  hot  and  sunshine.  Length  of 
canals  and  laterals  studied:  21.3.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  4,785.  Required 
capacity  at  intake:  (duty  of  water  80  acres  to  1  sec.  ft. )  60  sec.  ft.  Estimated  safe 
capacity  at  intake,  1914  :  60  sec.  ft.  Maximum  recorded  discharge,  1914  :  53.4  sec.  ft. 


LATERAL   A,    CENTRAL   OREGON   CANAL 
(Drop  at  upper  end) 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


37 


Comment:  This  lateral  system  is  the  largest  under  the  C.  O.  Canal. 
The  main  lateral  is  constructed  with  a  considerable  excess  wetted  area. 
It  runs  close  to  Pilot  Butte  and  evidently  construction  work  on  the  canal 
opened  up  many  sink  holes,  the  worst  of  which  had  been  sealed  up. 
These  sink  holes  undoubtedly  make  losses  greater. 

LATERAL    D 

Location:  Sections  21,  22,  27,  32,  33,  T.  17  S.,  R.  13  E.;  Section  4, 
T.  18  S.,  R.  13  E. 

Condition:     Very  little  silt.     Weeds  growing  in  many  places. 

RECORD  OF  LOSSES 


July  29,  1914 

July  30 

July  31 

Total  inflow  at  intake  in  second  feet  

4.00 

4  92 

4  92 

Total  diverted  from   system,   second  feet  

2.39 

3.39 

3  30 

Total   loss   in   second   feet  . 

1  61 

1  53 

1  62 

Total  loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow 

40.3   % 

31  1    % 

32  9    % 

Average    loss:    34.5%.      Weather    conditions:    sunshine.  Length    of   laterals: 

5.7    miles.      Irrigable    acres   under   canal:    1,362.      Required  capacity   at    intake: 

17   sec.   ft.      Estimated   safe   capacity  at   intake:    8   sec.    ft.  Maximum   recorded 
discharge,    1914:    5.30. 

Comment:  Excess  wetted  area  is  characteristic  of  this  lateral  system. 
The  canal  is  built  much  too  wide  for  the  amount  of  water  to  be  carried. 
About  one-half  mile  of  low  banks  just  below  intake  limited  the  capacity 
to  less  than  is  required  for  the  lands  it  serves,  which  will  undoubtedly 
be  repaired. 


LATERAL   D,    CENTRAL   OREGON   CANAL 
(Wide,   shallow  canal  causing  excessive  seepage) 


38 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


LATERAL    H 

Location:  Sees.  27,  28,  32,  33,  T.  17  S.,  R.  14  E.  W.  M.;  Sees.  5,  8, 
T.  18  S.,  R.  14  E  W.  M. 

Condition:  In  good  shape  except  towards  lower  end,  where  some  silt 
and  weeds  occur.  Excess  wetted  area. 

RECORD    OF    LOSSES 


August  12 


August  13 


Inflow  at  intake    in  second  feet 

7.39 

7.72 

Diversions  from  system    in  second  feet 

5.12 

5.06 

Loss  in  system    in  second  feet 

2.27 

2.66 

Loss  in  per  cent  of  inflow                                         

30.80% 

34.40% 

Average  loss:  32.6%.  Weather  conditions:  sunshine.  Length  of  laterals 
studied:  4.4  miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  2,884.  Required  capacity  at 
intake:  36.0  second  feet.  Maximum  recorded  discharge,  1914:  9.82  second  feet. 

Comment:  This  lateral  takes  out  of  Central  Oregon  Canal  about 
16-mile  post,  and  joins  it  again  at  22-mile  post.  It  was  at  one  time 
thought,  since  the  canal  is  built  largely  oversize,  that  if  it  might  be  used 
as  the  main  canal  instead  of  the  present  portion  of  the  Central  Oregon, 
some  loss  might  be  eliminated.  The  result  of  our  studies  shows,  however: 

1st.  That  losses  in  Lateral  H  are  .63  feet  per  square  foot  of  wetted 
area  per  24  hours.  Losses  in  Central  Oregon  Canal  between  intake  of 
H  and  outlet  of  H  are  0.79  feet.  (Determination  made  August  20.) 

2d.  That  it  will  be  necessary  to  do  considerable  work  on  Lateral  H, 
that  it  may  carry  the  increased  amount  of  water.  Certain  low  banks 
exist  which  would  allow  excess  water  area  and  hence  greater  losses. 
It  is  estimated  by  the  writer  that  the  same  money  spent  on  the  Central 
Oregon  Canal  would  produce  more  satisfactory  results. 

LATERAL    I 

Location:  Sections  2,  10,  11,  13,  14,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  34,  35,  T.  17  S., 
R.  14  E.;  Sections  2,  3,  T.  18  S.,  R.  14  E. 

Condition:    Running  over  its  safe  capacity;  silted  badly  in  places. 

RECORD    OF    LOSSES 


August  8 


August  10 


Inflow,  in  second  feet,  at  intake  

44.18 

44  18 

Diversions  outflow,   in   second  feet,   from   system  
Loss    in  second  feet 

33.63 
10  55 

35.24 

8  94 

Loss    in   per  cent   of   inflow 

23  90% 

20  20% 

Average  loss:  22%.  "Weather  conditions:  sunshine.  Length  of  laterals 
studied:  12  miles.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  4,181.  Required  capacity  at 
intake:  52.  Estimated  safe  capacity  at  intake:  40.  Maximum  recorded  discharge, 
1914:  47.05. 

Comment:  Out  of  the  4,181  irrigable  acres  under  the  canal,  only  about 
1,700  acres  were  cultivated  last  year.  Our  measurements  show  that 
when  44.18  second  feet  is  flowing  at  the  intake  the  delivery  capacity  of 
the  canal  system  is  about  35  second  feet,  of  which  2  second  feet  is  wasted 
at  the  ends  of  the  laterals,  leaving  33  second  feet  diverted  to  the  farmers. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


39 


This  should  be  sufficient  for  3,300  acres,  but  due  to  loss  in  farmers' 
ditches  and  wasteful  methods  of  using  the  water,  also  on  account  of 
the  different  character  of  the  soil  at  different  places  under  the  system, 
which  necessitates  the  use  of  a  larger  amount  of  water  for 
some  of  the  land  under  the  canal,  it  appears  to  be  sufficient  for  only 
about  1,700  acres.  Should  this  condition  of  affairs  remain  unchanged 
until  3,400  acres  are  in  cultivation,  84  second  feet  of  water  inflow,  or 
over  twice  the  present  capacity  of  the  canal,  would  be  required. 

LATERAL   P 

Location:    Sections  1,  7,  12,  18,  T.  15  S.,  R.  14  E.  W.  M. 
Condition:    Hardpan  and  rock  subsoil;  some  silt  in  upper  end. 

RECORD   OP   LOSSES 


August  18 


August  19 


Inflow  at  intake,  in  second  feet  

7.83 

7.83 

Diversions,    in    second   feet  

7.47 

7.50 

Loss,  in  second  feet       

0.36 

.33 

Loss,  in  per  cent  of  inflow  

4.60% 

4.20% 

Average  loss:  4.4%.  Weather  conditions:  bright  sunshine.  Length  of  laterals 
studied:  2.9.  Irrigable  acres  under  canal:  1,255.  Required  capacity  at  intake: 
16  second  feet.  Estimated  safe  capacity  at  intake:  16  second  feet.  Maximum 
recorded  discharge  in  1914  :  8.62  second  feet. 

Comment:  This  lateral  is  located  in  the  Powell  Butte  District,  which 
district  seems  to  be  generally  underlain  with  an  impervious  stratum,  and 
measurements  indicate  that  losses  are  low  in  this  region. 


Summary 

The  following  table  summarizes  the  results  of  studies  on  the  lateral 
systems. 


ii 

II 

*£i5  « 

Lateral  system 

I!| 

aS.S 

!• 

fe!B 

Condition 

|.s-s 

r« 

as0*3000  DO 

A     

34.2 

21.3 

60 

Excess    wetted    area,    sinks    and 

uncontrolled  drops. 

D     

34.5 

5.7 

17 

Excess   wetted  area,   low   banks, 

near  intake. 

H     . 

32.6 

4.4 

36 

Excess  wetted  area. 

1       ... 

22.0 

12.0 

52 

Main     canal     built      too      small. 

P                

4.4 

2.9 

16 

In      Powell      Butte     district,     in 

good    shape    except    in    a    few 

places   having  low  banks. 

40 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


The  following  table  is  given  to  show  the  losses  as  affected  by  the 
character  of  material  through  which  the  canal  is  excavated: 

LOSSES  ON  LATERALS  OF  CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 


Is 

71 

ift 

5S 

9*411 

£ 

J2,£ 

tt  a 

1^2  fl       "*"* 

No. 

lateral 

fill 

Its 

1 

Hi 

a  *a 
*a.2 

Material  through  which  laterals  run 

J41 

1 

II 

jm 

|dlr 

1 

I 

44.18 

6.50 

2.30 

.99 

50%    volcanic    ash    soil,    30% 

gravel,  18%  clayey  ash,  2% 

rock. 

2 

A    . 

42.80 

6.00 

2.50 

1.20 

60%  sandy  ash,  40%  rock. 

3 

C.    O... 

32.64 

1907 

9.00 

.84 

.33 

4 

13     

16.90 

2.60 

3.60 

.76 

50%  earth,   30%   gravel,   18% 

volcanic  ash  with  clay,  2% 

rock. 

5 

AlO     . 

12.00 

5.20 

4.65 

.92 

6 

Al     .... 

9.40 

4.00 

4.93 

.77 

95%  earth,  5%  rock. 

7 

P    

7.83 

2.90 

1.55 

.22 

40%  rock,  30%  hardpan,  30% 

earth. 

8 

H    .. 

7.56 

4.40 

7.40 

.63 

95%   earth,    5%   rock. 

9 

AT    .... 

5.05 

2.50 

5.30 

1.14 

90%  earth,  10%  rock. 

10 

D    

4.61 

4.50 

5.75 

.35 

90%  earth,   10%  rock. 

11 

AlO-5 

3.21 

.90 

19.90 

2.60 

Wetted  area,  approximate. 

12 

13-4      .. 

3.18 

.65 

37.70 

3.30 

70%    gravel,    30%    earth. 

13 

A13      .. 

2.80 

1.50 

17.50 

1.64 

14 

AlO-8 

1.87 

.50  to  .70 

32.80 

1.06 

15 

12     

1.19 

.70 

32.50 

.68 

50%  earth,  50%  rock. 

16 

13-1      .. 

1.16 

.80 

55.00 

2.22 

80%  gravel,   20%.  earth. 

17 

A2      .... 

1.05 

.23 

40.00 

1.52 

80%   sand  ash  soil. 

20%  rock. 

18 

D6     .... 

.70 

.50 

56.40 

1.15 

95%     sandy     ash     soil,     5% 

rock. 

19 

Dio     .. 

.60 

.70 

47.70 

1.04 

90%  earth,  10%  rock. 

FARMERS'  DITCHES 

Different  surveys  and  observations  on  farms  scattered  throughout  the 
project  show  that  the  length  of  ditches  necessary  to  carry  the  water 
from  the  company's  point  of  delivery  down  to  the  farmers'  land  .and  over 
it  is  in  many  places  more  than  a  mile.  It  has  been  determined  that  in 
small  ditches,  such  as  used  by  farmers,  the  losses  are  about  40%  per  mile. 
In  some  cases  the  loss  is  greater,  and  in  some  cases  less.  It  will  be  reason- 
able to  assume  then  that  40%  of  the  water  diverted  to  the  farmer  is 
lost  before  he  can  use  it  to  advantage  on  his  crops. 

Mr.  E.  G.  Hopson,  in  his  article  on  the  Economic  Aspect  of  Seepage 
Loss,  published  in  the  Proceedings  of  American  Society  of  Civil  Engin- 
eers, says:  "It  has  been  estimated  that  seepage  losses  in  the  farmers' 
ditches  on  many  projects  are  not  less  than  50%  of  the  losses  in  the  main 
canal  and  lateral  systems."  The  loss  of  40%  in  farmers'  laterals  as 
assumed  by  the  writer  in  these  studies  is  thus  seen  to  be  low  rather 
than  high. 

EVAPORATION 

There  seems  to  have  been  an  idea  in  the  minds  of  some  persons 
interested  in  irrigation  problems  of  Oregon  that  evaporation 
plays  a  large  part  in  the  losses  on  this  project.  Although  this 
idea  is  entirely  contrary  to  all  data  and  conclusions  of  other  investi- 
gators of  this  matter,  it  was  decided  to  carry  on  sufficient  investigations 
to  determine  whether  evaporation  was  higher  than  usual.  Accordingly, 
an  evaporation  tank  was  constructed  and  installed  at  the  ranch  of  A.  O. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


41 


Walker  of  Alfalfa.  The  tank  was  circular,  two  feet  in  diameter  and 
twelve  inches  deep  and  constructed  of  galvanized  iron.  The  results 
obtained  from  this  tank  may  be  high  due  to  heat  reflection  from  the  sides 
of  the  tank  tending  to  increase  evaporation  above  normal.  The  tank  was 
installed  in  a  pool  of  quiet  water  just  above  Mr.  Walker's  north  weir. 

Records  were  kept  from  May  13  to  August  26,  inclusive,  a  total  of 
105  days.  Rainfall  was  allowed  for  in  figures  given  below: 

EVAPORATION   IN   INCHES   ON   C.   O.   I.   CO.   PROJECT,    1914 
May   13-31  June  July  August  1-26  Total  for   105   days 

3.94  8.81  6.12  5.63  24.50 

The  following  record  shows  evaporation  in  inches  for  Klamath  River, 
near  Keno,  Oregon,  120  miles  south  of  Bend,  and  is  a  typical  evaporation 
record  for  an  irrigated  district.  Altitude,  4,000  feet.  Taken  from 
Water  Supply  Paper  344,  page  86: 

MEAN  OF  SIX  YEARS'   RECORD 

May  June  July  August  Total   for   123   days 

4.14  5.16  6M4  6.46  22.20 

These  records  are  here  compared  to  show  the  small  difference  between 
the  evaporation  on  this  project  and  a  standard  record  for  this  State. 

Taking  the  maximum  of  8.8  inches  in  June,  we  have  a  maximum 
daily  rate  of  .293  inches.     The  mean  transmission  loss  in  depth  per  day 
over  wetted  area  is  about  1.1  feet  on  this  project.     The  proportion  of 
evaporation  losses  to  transmission  losses  on  this  project  is,  therefore, 
.0244  ( .293  inches  reduced  to  feet)  _ 

SUMMARY  OF  LOSSES 
Pilot  Butte  System 

To  show  the  losses  on  the  entire  Pilot  Butte  Canal  system,  the  follow- 
ing table  is  presented,  based  on  the  data  previously  given.  The  main 
canal  losses  are  measured  directly  from  the  river  diversions  and  include 
North  Canal  losses  down  to  25.5-mile  post,  where  the  canal  becomes 
small  enough  to  be  considered  a  large  lateral.  Lateral  losses  are  taken 
as  30%  of  the  amount  diverted  from  main  canal  and  losses  after  leaving 
the  lateral  system  are  estimated  at  40%  for  farmers'  ditches. 

SUMMARY    OF   LOSS   DETERMINATIONS    ON    THE    PILOT    BUTTE    CANAL 
SYSTEM  FROM  THE  RIVE'R  DIVERSION  TO  THE  FARMERS'  LANDS 


Second  feet 

Per  cent  of  water  diverted 
from  river 

June  25 

July  17 

August  15 

June  26 

July  17 

August  15 

Total       water       diverted 
from  Deschutes  River 
at  United  States  Geo- 
logical   Survey    gages.. 
Total  water  lost  in  main 
canal  system  

309.00 
113.42 

58.67 

54.76 

226.85 

172.09 

323.00 

128.98 

58.20 

54.33 
241.51 

187.18 

337.00 
135.17 

60.73 

56.68 
252.58 

196.90 

100.00 
36.70 

19.00 

17.70 
73.40 

55.70 

100.00 
40.00 

18.00 

16.80 
74.80 

58.00 

100.00 
40.20 

18.00 

16.80 
75.00 

58.20 

Total  water   lost   in  lat- 
eral system  taken  as 
30%  of  that  diverted 
from  main  canal   
Total  lost  in  farmers'  lat- 
erals   taken    as    40% 
of     that    diverted    to 
farmer 

Total    loss    in    en- 
tire   system   
Loss  in  system  for  which 
the     irrigator     is    not 
responsible     . 

42 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


Central  Oregon  System 

On  the  main  Central  Oregon  Canal  the  losses  are  directly  measured 
to  Mile  Post  34,  below  which  point  the  main  canal  is  no  larger  than 
some  of  the  large  laterals  on  the  project. 

Losses  on  lateral  systems  between  the  intake  and  the  34-mile  post 
will  average  30%,  as  seen  from  table. 

Below  the  34-mile  post,  a  loss  of  15%  is  assumed  on  the  following 
basis.  The  loss  in  the  section  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  between 
34-mile  post  and  43-mile  post  is  7.6%  of  the  inflow.  The  loss  in 
Lateral  P  is  4.4%  of  the  inflow,  and  it  is  believed  that  losses  in  other 
small  laterals  such  as  N,  M-5,  M-3,  etc.,  would  be  sufficient  to  make  an 
estimate  of  15%  a  conservative  figure  of  the  losses  below  34-mile  post. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  foregoing  facts,  it  will  be  seen  that 
the  following  table  summarizing  all  losses  on  the  system,  while  it  shows 
them  to  be  high,  is  certainly  as  low  as  could  reasonably  be  expected: 

SUMMARY  OF  LOSSES   ON   THE   CENTRAL,   OREGON   CANAL   SYSTEM 
FROM  RIVER  DIVERSION  TO  FARMERS  LAND 


Second  feet 

Per  cent  of  water  diverted 

June  13 

August  14 

August  20 

June  13 

August  14 

August  20 

Total       inflow       diverted 
from     the     Deschutes 
River    

313.00 
81.23 

63.80 

2.78 

66.04 
213.94 

147.90 

330.00 
82.00 

65.76 
4.81 

71.17 
223.24 

152.07 

333.00 

79.28 

67.10 
4.52 

72.84 
223.74 

150.90 

100.00 
26.00 

20.40 
0  90 

21.10 
68.40 

47.30 

100.00 
24.80 

19.90 
1.30 

21.60 
67.60 

46.00 

100.00 

23.80 

20.10 
1.40 

21.90 
67.20 

46.70 

Loss    from    .5    mile    post 
to   34   mile  post 

Loss    in    lateral    systems 
above     34     mile     post 
taken  as  30%  of  their 
intake   discharges  
Losses  below  34  mile  post 
taken  as   15%  of  the 
discharge    at    34    mile 
post 

Losses    in    farmers'    lat- 
erals taken  as  40%  of 
the  water  diverted  to 
the   farmer 

Total   losses  in  entire 
system    

Loss  in  system  for  which 
the    irrigator     is     not 
responsible    

Seepage  Conditions  on  Entire  System 

The  preceding  data  show  that  losses  are  heaviest  on  the  main  canals, 
laterals  and  farmers'  ditches  in  the  order  stated. 

In  the  case  of  the  main  Central  Oregon  Canal  and  North  Canal, 
which  has  a  large  per  cent  of  rock  surface  in  contact  with  the  water,  it 
is  believed  that  seams  and  cracks  in  the  rock  are  responsible  for  the 
larger  part  of  the  loss.  On  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  the  high  losses  are 
also  attributed  to  the  large  excess  wetted  area. 

Since  rock  is  relatively  so  close  to  the  surface  over  a  large  part  of 
the  segregation,  the  tendency  has  been  to  construct  wide,  shallow  canals 
rather  than  deep  ones,  thus  avoiding  expensive  rock  excavation.  The 
result  has  been  that  canals  were  constructed  with  a  large  excess  water 
area  and  since  seepage  and  evaporation  are  proportional  to  wetted  area 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


43 


and  water  surface  area,  the  losses  are  high.  Some  of  the  lateral 
systems,  however,  were  designed  to  serve  a  greater  area  of  land  than 
they  are  ultimately  to  serve,  and  hence  they  are  wider  than  they  should 
be.  This  is  true  particularly  of  the  laterals  diverting  in  the  first  20 
miles  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal. 

Another  cause  of  losses  is  that  the  numerous  drops  on  the  canals  have 
not  been  properly  constructed,  as  in  most  instances  the  water  is  allowed 
to  tumble  down  over  the  rock  as  best  it  can  between  the  canal  grade 
lines.  Thus  seams  and  cracks  and  sink  holes  have  a  splendid  oppor- 
tunity to  take  water.  The  logical  remedy  for  the  high  losses  would  be 
to  first  reduce  the  excess  wetted  area;  second,  search  the  canal  bottom 
in  the  rock  section  for  leaks,  and  when  found,  close  them  in  a  permanent 
manner  with  cement;  and  third,  to  provide  and  construct  drop  structures. 

.    2.95  acfr 
/  DeS/verecJ  to  farmer-, 


/.  77  ac.  ft 
Aw/'/ab/e   for 
Crops 

32.  3  X 

/./8ac.ff: 
Loss  />? 

formers 

2i.t%p/fc/7es 

/.I7ac.ft. 
Loss  //? 
Lofera/s 

ZI.4-% 

/.36oc  ft 
Loss   m 
Ma/rt  Cane/ 
Z4»8%> 

CENTRAL 


//?  Cono/  System 
4-6.2% 

OREGON   CANAL 


3.l9ac.  ff. 
De//vered    fo  Farmer 


\ 


/.9lac  ft 
Available  for 
Crops 

2S.6& 

/.230-cft 
Loss  //? 

farmers 
/7./%D/fches 

/.370c.ft 
Loss  />? 
Latera/s 
/e.tt 

3.92  ac  ft 
Loss  in  Ma/'r?  Car?o/s 

39.0% 

PILOT      BUTTE 


Trans  mis  si  or?   Loss  />7 
Car?a/    System 


Fig.   5. 


DISTRIBUTION  OF  WATER  DIVERTED  AT  INTAKE 
(In  acre  feet  per  acre  of  irrigated  land) 


A  study  was  made  on  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  system  to  see  what 
possible  reduction  in  seepage  losses  would  result  from  the  carrying  out 
of  such  a  policy  of  loss  reductions.  All  canals  and  laterals  were 
redesigned  with  a  view  to  reducing  excess  wetted  area,  and  it  was 
assumed  that  the  rate  of  normal  seepage  loss  would  be  1  foot  per  square 
foot  of  wetted  area  per  24  hours.  It  was  found  that  losses  would  then 
amount  to  40%  of  the  inflow. 

A  similar  condition  on  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  would  also  reduce 
the  losses  on  this  system  to  even  less  than  40%,  but  to  obtain  such  would 
practically  necessitate  the  reconstruction  of  some  of  the  main  lateral 
systems  at  a  heavy  cost,  which  would  not  be  the  case  under  the  Pilot 
Butte  Canal. 


44 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


COMPARISON  OF  RESULTS  WITH  OTHER  DATA 
From    the    following   table   the    losses    on    the    combined    systems    of 

the    Pilot    Butte    and    Central    Oregon    canals    are    compared    with    the 

recorded  losses  on  other  projects. 

The  figures  on  other  projects  are  taken  from  Mr.  Hopson's  article 

in  the  Transactions  of  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  mentioned 

under  head  of  Losses  in  Farmers'  Ditches. 

LOSSES  IN  PER  CENT  OF  WATER  DIVERTED  FROM  RIVER 


Project 

Canal 

Farmers'  ditches 

Total 

*Umatilla 

32  00 

15  00 

47 

Truckee-Carson    .. 

41  00 

15  00 

56 

"Orland 

23  00 

10  00 

33 

Klamath  - 

48  00 

15  00 

63 

Tieton 

24  00 

8  00 

3° 

Sunnyside 

27  00 

7  00 

«»4 

Central  Oregon  Project  

51  70 

19  30 

71 

*  Reservoir  losses  in  Umatilla  and  Orland  projects  are  eliminated  in  these 
figures. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  figures  for  loss  in  farmers'  ditches 
in  reclamation  projects  are  the  results  of  private  opinion  and  not  as  a 
result  of  actual  measurements,  while  the  figures  given  for  the  Central 
Oregon  Project  are  based  on  the  result  of  actual  measurements  on  such 
ditches. 

To  still  further  compare  the  results  obtained  the  following  table 
is  given: 


Canals  carrying  100 
sec.  ft.  or  more 

Canals  carrying 
less  than  100  sec.  ft. 

"Loss  of  Water   in 
and  Contracting, 
by  P.  M.  Fogg  . 

Irrigation 
June   24, 

Systems,"   Eng. 
1914,   page  712, 

.95^  oer  mile 

6.02^  ner  mile 

Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company  Project ]     1.71%  per  mile  ;  11.15%  per  mile 

I i 

The  results  of  the  measurements  of  seepage  show  this  to  be  a  serious 
problem  on  this  project.  The  above  comparisons  show  that  it  is  greater 
than  is  experienced  on  many  of  the  more  important  projects  of  the 
Northwest.  The  two  main  causes  for  this  loss  are  as  follows: 

1.  The  canals  were  so  located  as  to  take  advantage,  wherever  possible, 
of  natural  draws  or  gullies,  with  the  result  that  the  sections  were  such 
as  to  cause  large  wetted  areas.    No  impervious  linings  were  used,  except 
on   the   North    Canal,   where   the   concrete   is   rough,   and    considerably 
checked.    (See  Bulletin  126,  U.  S.  Dept.  Agriculture,  page  43.)     Natural 
drops  were  used  when  possible  and  the  porous  seamy  rock  of  the  region 
thus  diverts  large  amounts  of  water  through  leakage.     These  conditions, 
whose   results   are   augmented  by  the   effects   of   changes  of   irrigation 
plans  after  construction  of  the  original  canals,  are  large  responsible  for 
the  high  losses. 

2.  The  geological  formations  of  the  country  are  mainly  volcanic,  pro- 
ducing a  rich   soil  for  raising  crops,  but  also,   in  this  instance,   being 
responsible  for  the  underground  caves,  subterranean  channels  and  seamy 
rock  which  naturally  produce  high  losses  unless  canal  and  lateral  con- 
struction is  especially  provided  against  it. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


45 


LATERAL  A-10,   CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 
(Flume  over  rock  cavity) 

REMEDIES  FOR  LOSSES 

As  seen  from  the  above  discussion,  the  problem  of  reducing  losses 
naturally  resolves  itself  into  reducing  excess  area  and  cementing 
leaks.  The  amount  of  reduction  in  losses  which  can  be  accomplished 
by  this  method  depends  on  the  amount  and  character  of  work  done, 
but  it  is  estimated  that  by  this  means  the  losses  can,  at  least,  be  held 
to  40%  without  excessive  expense.  To  reduce  losses  below  40%  it  may 
be  necessary  in  some  places  to  resort  to  concrete  lining,  puddling  of 
banks,  and  other  expedients  which  will  prove  to  be  quite  expensive. 
The  exact  cost  of  this  work  can  only  be  estimated  after  experimental 
work  has  been  done  to  determine  just  what  method  will  be  most 
economical  and  efficient. 


46 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


WEATHER    CONDITIONS 

The  season  of  1914  was  notable  for  the  low  precipitation.  The  records 
of  the  U.  S.  Weather  Bureau  for  Bend  show  only  about  2.68  inches 
of  precipitation  from  January  to  April,  inclusive,  while  the  normal  for 
that  period  is  about  7.5  inches. 

During  the  irrigation  season  of  May,  June,  July  and  August  the 
rainfall  amounted  to  2.57  inches,  while  normally  it  should  be  about 
3.22  inches. 

This  deficiency  of  moisture  before  and  during  the  irrigation  season 
undoubtedly  made  it  necessary  to  use  more  water  for  irrigation  purposes 
than  would  be  advisable  to  use  under  normal  conditions.  The  following- 
table  is  taken  from  monthly  climatological  data  published  by  the  U.  S. 
Weather  Bureau,  being  average  of  records  for  Bend  and  Powell  Butte 
for  1914. 

TEMPERATURE 


Mean 

Maximum 

Minimum 

Precipita- 
tion—inches 

May 

51  6 

90 

19 

84 

June 

57  0 

93 

22 

88 

July 

66  0 

98 

30 

16 

August 

64  2 

100 

3TT 

Trace 

REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  47 

CHOP   REPORT  AND    CENSUS 

REPORT 

A  census  of  crops,  stock,  people,  and  a  valuation  of  property  was 
made  on  special  forms  prepared  by  this  office,  in  cooperation  with  Mr. 
C.  L.  McCauley,  water  superintendent  on  the  project. 

Kind  of  Crop  and  Acreage:  Alfalfa,  7,351;  clover,  2,249.5;  grain, 
6,003.5;  potatoes,  757;  orchard,  221.5;  garden,  612;  miscellaneous,  524.5; 
total  acres  in  crop,  17,719. 

Stock  Census:  Beef  cattle,  1,209;  dairy  cows,  1,004;  horses,  1,174; 
swine,  5,589;  sheep,  443. 

Total  population,-  1,398,  not  including  population  in  towns  and  cities, 
or  residents  on  homesteads  and  desert  claims. 

Total  value  of  farms  cleared,  partly  cleared,  or  under  cultivation  by 
irrigation,  $2,167,520.00. 

Total  value  per  capita,  $1,550.00. 

Total  number  of  farms  investigated,  645.  (Includes  four  very  large 
ranches,  such  as  Pilot  Butte,  Davenport-Stanley,  etc.) 

Total  irrigable  acres  reported  on,  30,692. 

Average  size  of  farms,  47.6  acres. 

Average  size  of  small  farms,  41.6  acres. 

Total  taken  up  by  roads  and  buildings,  774  irrigable  acres. 

Total  area  of  lands  cleared  but  not  cultivated,  4,322  acres. 

The  valuation  here  given  represents  as  far  as  possible  no  speculative 
value,  such  as  is  due  to  location  near  a  town.  The  basis  of  the  valuation 
was  the  reclamation  lien  fixed  on  uncleared  irrigable  land  with  water 
right,  which  is  $40  per  acre.  These  figures  are  therefore  low,  but 
represent  as  far  as  possible  the  value  of  the  land  as  produced  by  the 
industry  of  the  settler. 

The  total  irrigable  acres  reported  on  are  the  irrigable  lands  that  the 
company  recognizes  as  contracted  for,  and  hence  the  actual  irrigable  acres 
may  be  in  excess  of  this  figure. 

PERCENTAGE  OF  CLEARED  LAND  NOT  IN  CULTIVATION 

In  any  irrigation  project  a  certain  portion  of  the  land  under  a  canal 
system  will  not  be  irrigated  because  it  is  taken  up  by  roads,  houses, 
buildings,  rights  of  way,  etc.  Engineers  have  been  accustomed  to  make 
an  allowance  for  this  unusable  land  in  designing  irrigation  systems. 
The  amount  of  this  allowance  varies  greatly  with  conditions,  and  no 
figure  should  be  taken  from  one  part  of  the  country  and  applied  to 
another  without  a  careful  study  of  the  conditions  which  exist  where  the 
figure  was  determined  and  where  it  is  to  be  applied.  For  instance,  it  has 
been  reported  that  in  India,  where  irrigation  has  been  practised  for 
hundreds  of  years,  20%  of  the  land  under  the  canals  are  found  to  be 
taken  up  by  roads,  towns,  buildings,  etc.  In  the  earlier  development 
of  irrigation  in  the  United  States  it  was  estimated  that  20%  would 
apply  to  conditions  in  the  West.  Careful  investigations  have  shown  that 
this  figure  cannot  so  be  applied  except  under  unusual  conditions.  On 
the  Central  Oregon  Project,  waste  lands,  towns  and  rights  of  way  were 
eliminated  from  the  lands  considered  under  the  canals.  The  amount  of 
waste  lands  on  this  project  is  such  as  to  make  strong  inducement  for 


48  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

farmers  to  use  this  waste  land  for  buildings,  yards,  etc.  Irrigable  lands 
costing  $40  per  acre  for  water  rights,  and  80  cents  per  year  for  main- 
tenance would  certainly  not  customarily  be  used  to  put  buildings  and 
yards  on  where  there  is  available  waste  land  costing  $2.50  per  acre 
which  may  be  used  for  this  purpose. 

Don  H.  Bark,  who  has  thoroughly  investigated  this  matter  for  the 
Department  of  Agriculture,  finds,  after  studying  a  large  area  in  Idaho, 
that  the  average  project  has  only  about  8.06%  of  the  lands  lying  idle. 
This  percentage  is  divided  as  follows:  2.2%  taken  up  by  corrals,  barns, 
stock  yards,  fence  rows,  building  sites  and  high  land;  5.86%  in  sloughs, 
creeks,  canals,  county  roads,  railroad  rights  of  way  and  miscellaneous. 
The  data  were  collected  over  an  area  of  some  16,000  acres  of  land,  and  are 
considered  typical  of  Idaho  projects.  Mr.  Bark  says  that  in  a  highly 
developed  section  the  amount  of  fallow  lands  would  not  exceed  2.5%  of 
the  total  irrigable  lands. 

The  1914  census  of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company's  Project 
shows  that  about  2.5%  of  the  irrigable  land  under  the  census  is  taken 
up  by  roads  and  buildings,  and  about  14%  taken  up  by  lands  which 
have  been  cleared  up  for  the  next  year's  cultivation,  cleared  land  on 
abandoned  ranches  and  lands  not  irrigated  but  cleared. 

As  the  project  grows  older  this  percentage  will  undoubtedly  become 
almost  negligible. 

The  contract  between  the  settler  and  the  company  calls  for  a  delivery 
of  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  for  whatever  irrigable  acres  there  may  be  on 
the  land;  contracts  since  1907  naming  the  amount  of  irrigable  acres. 

Since  it  is  difficult  for  the  average  farmer  to  use  small  quantities 
of  water,  even  should  he  have  the  skill,  it  is  natural  to  suppose  that  he 
will  do  as  he  has  already  done,  viz.,  demand  all  the  water  his  contract 
calls  for,  regardless  of  the  amount  of  land  he  may  have  lying  fallow 
or  taken  up  in  any  way  such  that  it  is  not  actually  irrigated.  And 
especially  will  he  do  this  in  a  dry  year,  when  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre 
appears  to  him  to  be  inadequate. 

Therefore,  in  view  of  the  above  facts,  and  in  view  of  the  unsatisfactory 
condition  of  the  canals,  it  is  not  considered  proper  to  make  an  allowance 
of  10%  for  non-irrigated  lands  and  certainly  not  20%. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  49 

DUTY  OF  WATER 

Moisture  is  necessary  for  raising  of  agricultural  crops.  To  supply 
any  deficiency  in  moisture  that  crops  may  be  raised  profitably  to  the 
farmer  and  to  do  this  work  efficiently  and  at  the  proper  time  is  the 
ideal  of  irrigation  practice. 

That  amount  of  water  per  acre  of  land  necessary  to  make  up  any 
deficiency  in  crop  requirements  of  moisture,  is  expressed  in  the  phrase, 
"Duty  of 'Water."  The  duty  is  commonly  expressed  as  acre  fe.et  per 
acre,  or  as  acres  per  second  foot. 

Aside  from  the  /"human  element,"  having  to  do  with  the  skill  and 
intelligence  of  the  farmer  or  water  user,  the  most  important  factor 
affecting  the  water  duty  in  arid  regions  is  the  character  of  the  soil 
and  subsoil. 

Climatic  conditions,  character  of  crops,  fertility  of  soil  and  the  aver- 
age intelligence  of  farmers  are  more  or  less  constant  factors  within  the 
extremes  of  a  large  project.  Once  determined  they  vary  but  little  between 
different  sections  in  the  same  project. 

The  character  of  the  soil  and  subsoil,  however,  does  vary  within  wide 
limits,  and  it  is  almost  impossible  to  adopt  a  uniform  quantity  of  water 
which  is  best  for  all  lands  in  a  large  project. 

No  better  instance  could  hardly  be  found  to  illustrate  this  point  than 
the  conditions  on  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company's  project. 
Lands  lying  in  what  is  known  as  the  Powell  Butte  District  require  less 
water  than  do  most  any  other  lands  in  the  project.  The  soil  of  that 
district  appears  to  have  a  fine  loamy  texture  with  a  relatively  tight 
substratum. 

Some  lands  lying  in  the  Alfalfa  district,  near  Bend  and  near  Red- 
mond, need  more  water  than  do  those  of  the  Powell  Butte  district,  and 
there  will  be  found  a  tract  like  that  used  as  an  experimental  farm  near 
Redmond,  where  soil  conditions  approach  those  of  the  Powell  Butte 
district,  and  where,  under  the  expert  management  of  a  specialist,  much 
less  water  than  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  is  required. 

Prior  to  October  10,  1905,  no  duty  of  water  had  been  fixed  for  this 
project  by  the  State  Land  Board.  However,  the  company  had  inserted 
in  its  Contract  Form  No.  1,  a  specification  of  1  second  foot  to  160  acres 
between  April  1  and  November  1.  As  this  was  not  deemed  sufficient  by 
the  State  Engineer,  and  the  company's  contract  provided  that  all  rules 
and  regulations  with  respect  to  water  must  be  approved  by  the  Land 
Board,  the  then  State  Land  Board  refused  to  approve  this  contract  form. 

The  minutes  of  the  State  Land  Board  dated  October  10,  1905,  with 
reference  to  duty  of  water,  read  as  follows: 

"Now  comes  on  to  be  considered  the  application  of  the  Deschutes 
Irrigation  &  Power  Company  for  a  List  for  Patent  for  77,950.87  acres 
of  land  included  in  the  segregation  of  the  Pilot  Butte  Development  Com- 
pany, and  in  order  that  the  proper  officers  of  the  State  may  be  able  to 
make  the  certificates  of  reclamation  as  required  by  the  rules  and  regula- 
tions of  the  Secretary  of  the  Interior  so  that  patent  may  issue,  it  is 
necessary  that  the  board,  at  this  time,  fix  and  determine  the  duty  of 
water  for  the  land  in  this  project,  which,  in  the  absence  of  any  informa- 
tion concerning  the  irrigation  of  lands  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lands  included 
in  said  list,  the  board  at  this  time  is  unable  to  do  with  any  degree  of 


50  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

certainty.  However,  it  appearing  to  the  board  that  the  estimated  quan- 
tity of  water  made  by  the  U.  S.  Reclamation  Service  for  the  Klamath  Proj- 
ect is  one  second  foot  of  water  for  150  acres  and  that  the  ditch  companies 
in  the  Yakima  country  furnish  only  one  second  foot  of  water  for  160  acres, 
while  in  Idaho  the  quantity  ranges  from  one  second  foot  of  water  for  from 
60  to  80  acres  of  land,  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  board  at  this  time  that  one 
second  foot  of  water  is  sufficient  to  irrigate  and  reclaim  100  acres  of 
land  in  this  segregation  within  the  meaning  of  the  law,  and  this  amount 
is  hereby  fixed  and  determined  by  the  board  as  the  proper  and  reason- 
able duty  of  water  for  this  project  for  the  purpose  only  of  establishing 
a  basis  for  the  guidance  of  the  Governor  and  State  Engineer  in  certify- 
ing the  "List  for  Patent,"  and  they  are  hereby  requested  if  they  find 
that  the  capacity  of  the  headworks,  flumes  and  ditches  of  the  Deschutes 
Irrigation  &  Power  Company  is  sufficient  to  convey  this  quantity  of  water 
and  in  other  respects  in  compliance  with  the  law  to  make  the  proper 
certificate  to  said  'List  for  Patent.'  " 

Later  the  company  incorporated  this  duty  in  the  rules  and  regulations, 
which  were  duly  approved  by  the  State  Land  Board,  as  follows: 

"(2)  The  irrigation  season  shall  be  from  April  1  to  November  1 
of  each  year,  and  during  the  period  of  maximum  use  from  May  23  to 
August  20  (90  days)  of  each  year  the  company  shall  deliver  to  each 
settler,  his  heirs,  personal  representative  or  assigns  owning  lands 
reclaimed  by  contract  with  the  State  of  Oregon  (for  convenience  herein- 
after called  the  settler)  an  amount  of  water  measured  at  the  point  of 
delivery  to  his  land,  which  will  cover  each  acre  of  irrigable  land  to  a 
depth  of  one  and  eight-tenths  feet  (1.8).  If  the  above  supply  of  water 
is  found  to  be  in  excess  of  that  required  during  the  period  of  maximum 
use,  or  insufficient  to  raise  ordinary  agricultural  crops,  it  can  be  changed 
with  the  approval  of  the  State  Land  Board  to  conform  with  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  Chief  of  Irrigation  Investigations  of  the  U.  S.  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture." 

On  November  2,  1905,  this  rule  among  others  was  adopted  by  the 
State  Land  Board,  and  in  1907  it  was  included  as  part  of  the  contract 
between  the  settler  and  the  company  which  was  approved  by  the  board. 

This  is  the  only  instance  in  the  records  of  the  State  Land  Board  or 
Desert  Land  Board  where  the  duty  of  water  was  fixed  by  the  board. 

The  first  duty  of  water  of  one  second  foot  to  160  acres  was  fixed  by 
the  company  without  the  approval  of  the  board. 

Since  1905  many  experiments  have  been  made  to  determine  the  proper 
duty  of  water,  both  in  Oregon  and  in  other  states.  Most  noteworthy  of 
these  investigations  is  that  carried  on  by  Don  H.  Bark  in  Idaho  for 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  in  cooperation  with  the  State  of  Idaho. 
The  character  of  the  soil,  elevation  and  general  condition  of  the  lands 
under  Mr.  Bark's  investigations  are  very  similar  to  those  under  the 
Central  Oregon  Project,  and  the  result  of  his  work  should  throw  some 
light  on  what  should  be  the  proper  duty  of  water  here. 

Since  the  period  of  maximum  use  under  consideration  is  90  days  it  is 
necessary  to  interpolate  Mr.  Bark's  results  to  the  same  basis  in  order 
to  apply  them  to  this  project. 

The  following  table  is  compiled  from  Mr.  Bark's  report:  Duty  of 
water  obtained  by  Don  Bark  for  the  Department  of  Agricultural,  on  Idaho 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


51 


lands  similar  in  character  and  climatic  condition  to  Central  Oregon 
Project.  Average  yearly  precipitation  is  about  twelve  inches,  of  which 
about  three  inches  fall  in  the  four  summer  months. 


SS22 

ifl 

«w  £ 

•gi 

Crop 

gp 

J& 

fi 

S-3  & 

fcl  *•* 

^£ 

a^-S 

Character  of  poll 

"c*c8  oo£ 

"c  ^  cfl  cS 

3C  « 

3  >;o 

H' 

5 

55 

Alfalfa 

2.50 

1.83 

46 

3 

IV^eclium  clav  and  sandv 

loam  soil. 

Grain 

1.45 

1.337 

122 

3 

IVXcdiuni  clav  and  sindv 

loam  soil. 

Alfalfa 

6.815 

5.073 

17 

2 

Porous         sandv       and 

gravelly  soil. 

Grain 

3.09 

3.031 

30 

2 

Porous        sandv       and 

gravelly  soil. 

The  weighted  mean  of  the  above  figures  gives  a  90-day  water  duty 
of  2.705  acre  feet  for  alfalfa,  and  1.676  acre  feet  for  grain. 

Since  alfalfa  and  grain  are  about  equally  proportioned  in  the  average 
projects  under  discussion,  a  fair  average  would  be  2.191,  or,  roughly, 
2.2  acre  feet  per  acre.  According  to  the  above  investigation  it  would 
appear  that  2.2  acre  feet  is  the  proper  duty  where  the  ratio  of  grain 
to  alfalfa  is  equal  and  where  the  ratio  of  porous  sandy  soil  is  as  approx- 
imately 47  to  215.  Since  the  exact  area  of  the  fields  is  not  known  it  is 
impossible  to  give  exact  figures,  but  it  is  sufficiently  accurate  for  all 
practical  purposes  to  say  that  the  duty  of  water  of  2.2  acre  feet  would 
be  safe  to  apply  to  an  area  22%  of  which  is  a  porous  sandy  loam  and 
gravelly  soil. 

A  very  careful  study  of  the  duty  of  water  has  been  made  by  Prof. 
W.  L.  Powers,  in  charge  of  irrigation  and  drainage  work  of  the  Oregon 
Experiment  Station.  Prof.  Powers  had  direct  charge  of  the  work  in 
1912  on  the  Redmond  Irrigation  Experiment  Farm,  and  his  results,  pub- 
lished in  Bulletin  No.  117  of  the  Oregon  Agricultural  College,  reveal  the 
possibilities  of  scientific  knowledge  applied  to  irrigation  practice.  It  is 
indeed  unfortunate  that  Prof.  Powers  could  not  have  extended  his  work 
over  a  period  of  years,  so  that  the  effect  of  yearly  climatic  differences 
might  be  ascertained;  and  also  it  would  have  been  of  the  greatest  value 
if  he  could  have  carried  on  his  experiments  on  several  different  tracts 
of  land  so  as  to  note  the  effect  of  the  different  kinds  of  soil  on  the  duty. 

The  duty  of  water  obtained  by  Prof.  Powers  was  1.041  acre  feet  per 
acre,  and  in  applying  this  to  the  Central  Oregon  Project  the  following 
conditions  must  be  taken  into  consideration: 

1st.  The  precipitation  for  1912  was  above  normal  and  as  seen  in 
the  diagram  the  use  of  water  per  acre  was  the  lowest  in  four  years. 

2d.  Crops  were  very  well  diversified,  tending  to  a  minimum  need 
of  water. 

3d.  Unusual  skill  was  used  in  applying  water.  Soil  moisture  deter- 
minations were  made,  thus  the  amount  of  residual  soil  moisture  was 
known.  Resources,  financial  and  otherwise,  which  are  not  as  yet  avail- 
able to  the  average  farmer  were  available  for  use  on  this  farm. 


52 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


4th.  This  duty  of  water  was  obtained  on  one  type  of  land  alone, 
and  it  is  by  no  means  certain  that  this  is  the  average  type.  The  writer 
has  seen  by  far  the  larger  portion  of  the  lands  in  the  segregation  and 
his  opinion  is  that  this  experimental  farm  is  better  than  the  average 
in  character  of  both  soil  and  subsoil. 

5th.  The  maximum  crop  yield  for  the  least  water  is  the  economic 
use  of  water,  but  not  of  necessity  the  economic  duty  of  water.  In 
determining  the  duty  for  any  project  the  cost  of  land  and  water,  cost 
of  clearing  and  cultivation,  cost  of  producing  crops,  and  the  value  of 
crops  must  be  taken  into  consideration,  as  well  as  the  amount  of  water 
which  will  produce  the  maximum  yield.  It  is  evident  that  to  use  only 
so  much  water  as  will  produce  the  maximum  yield  per  acre  may  entail 


6.SJ 


627, 


1911 


1912 


1913 


1914 


Contract  Duty  of  Wafer  of  /ntoke  r- 

ofMoJn  Cona/  -  /  second -foot  to  7  O  acres 


Excess  Use  and  Losses 

Fig.    6.      WATER  DIVERTED  AT   CANAL  INTAKES 
(Acre  feet  per  acre  of  irrigated  land) 

much  expense  for  leveling  land,  handling  water,  cultivation  of  crops, 
which  would  not  be  fully  offset  by  the  increased  return  from  the  increased 
crop,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  less  expensive  methods  using  more  water, 
even  with  the  decreased  yield  would  show  a  substantial  profit  to  the 
farmer. 

6th.  Even  as  one  year's  stream  measurements  are  of  little  value 
unless  continued  over  a  period  of  years,  so  is  the  determination  of  the 
duty  of  water  for  one  year  only  of  small  value.  Mr.  Bark's  experiments 
show  in  three  years  a  variation  in  duty  of  water  of  from  8.7  per  cent 
below  to  11  per  cent  above  the  mean,  and  a  maximum  variation  of  29 
per  cent  from  the  minimum  duty. 

7th.  In  determining  this  duty  the  water  was  measured  at  the  point 
of  use  and  arbitrary  allowances  were  made  for  losses.  On  this  project 
the  water  is  required  to  be  delivered  within  one-half  mile  of  the  lands, 
and  hence  ditch  losses,  which  are  heavy  in  this  section,  would  tend  to 
increase  the  water  requirements  at  the  company's  delivery. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  53 

The  year  1912  was  a  year  of  abundant  precipitation  and  unusually 
low  use  of  water.  In  1911  the  diversion  use  of  water  was  6.51  or  30% 
greater.  To  take  even  Prof.  Powers'  duty  of  1.04  acre  feet  in  90  days, 
and  increase  it  30  per  cent  for  difference  in  precipitation  from  the 
normal,  and  make  an  allowance  of  30  per  cent  of  the  amount  delivered 
at  company's  delivery  for  losses  where  conditions  are  favorable,  we  have 
a  duty  which  in  dry  years  may  possibly  be  obtained  by  skilled  farmers 
on  the  best 'of  lands,  as  follows: 

Acre  feet  in 
90  days 

Professor   Powers'    duty   for    1912 1.041 

30%  for  climatic  difference  between  1911  and  1912 .31 

Losses  between  company's  delivery  and  on  farmers'  land  equals  30%  of 

the  amount  delivered  -58 

Total  duty  for  dry  year 1.93 

Assuming  a  10%  deviation  from  the  mean  duty  for  average  years, 
it  would  appear  that  1.74  acre  feet  would  be  the  proper  duty  for  this 
segregation,  provided  all  lands  were  like  that  of  the  Redmond  farm  and 
all  farmers  had  developed  a  great  degree  of  skill  in  the  economic  handling 
of  water. 

Such  conditions  are  practically  out  of  the  question  and  it  is  necessary 
that  the  problem  be  approached  from  a  more  practical  standpoint. 

In  1914  the  attempt  was  made  to  ascertain  just  what  the  actual 
duty  of  water  was  during  the  90-day  period  on  this  segregation.  Accord- 
ingly three  farmers  volunteered  their  services  to  keep  records  of 
water  diverted  on  their  farms  and  to  continue  their  ordinary  use  of 
water  in  their  own  way  and  to  use  neither  more  nor  less  than  they  were 
accustomed  to  use. 

Cippoletti  weirs  were  installed  either  on  the  farmer's  land  or  as 
near  to  it  as  possible,  so  as  to  measure  all  the  water  coming  on  the  land. 
Conditions  did  not  permit  of  controlling  the  waste  water,  but  the  farmers 
were  cautioned  about  allowing  waste  water  to  run  off  their  lands,  and 
observations  during  the  season  showed  that  on  these  particular  tracts 
but  little  water  was  wasted. 

Farm  No.  1  is  located  at  Alfalfa,  Oregon,  and  owned  by  Mr.  A.  O. 
Walker.  Water  is  supplied  through  Lateral  I  system  of  the  Central 
Oregon  Canal.  Two  weirs  were  necessary  to  measure  all  the  water  on 
the  place.  This  farm  is  representative  of  the  best  in  the  segregations. 
Buildings  are  in  good  shape,  ditches  are  well  located,  the  land  is  slightly 
rolling,  and  conditions  are  favorable  for  an  economical  use  of  water. 

Mr.  A.  E.  Lovett,  County  Agriculturist  and  Agent  of  the  U.  S. 
Department  of  Agriculture,  rendered  valuable  assistance  to  the  writer 
by  reporting  the  character  of  soil  and  subsoil  on  these  farms. 

He  reports: 

"I  find  the  soil  on  this  farm  uniform  in  texture  and  fairly  uniform 
in  depth.  It  is  composed  of  a  sandy  loam,  generally  with  a  coarse  sandy 
subsoil  and  underlaid  with  about  four  inches  of  hardpan  or  ash  cement. 
The  depth  varies  from  12  to  38  inches  and  averages  about  18  inches. 
.  .  .  .  Results  obtained  in  your  water  measurements  may  be  taken 
as  results  representative  for  that  section." 

Mr.  Walker  is  the  only  farmer  of  the  three  who  appeared  satisfied 
with  the  amount  of  water  received,  which  amounted  to  3.19  acre  feet  per 
acre  irrigated  during  the  90-day  season. 


54  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

Farm  No.  2  is  near  Redmond,  and  is  owned  by  F.  A.  Kennard.  This 
farm  required  but  one  weir,  which  towards  the  end  of  the  season  became 
silted  and  therefore  measurements  taken  at  that  time  are  slightly  low. 

Mr.  -Lovett  finds  that  the  soil  is  quite  variable.  The  texture  varies 
from  a  fine  sand  to  a  fine  sandy  loam  with  a  trace  of  pumice  in  the 
subsoil.  The  surface  soil  is  about  16  to  65  inches  deep,  and  the  farm 
is  an  exceptional  one,  although  many  of  the  same  nature  may  be  found. 
A  very  large  amount  of  water  was  used  on  the  place,  being  5.70  acre 
feet  per  acre  of  land  irrigated  in  the  90-day  period.  Mr.  Kennard 
claims  that  this  amount  of  water  was  not  sufficient  in- 1914,  but  it  appears 
that  the  greatest  need  is  for  an  increased  head  of  water  on  a  rotation 
system. 

It  is  believed  that  a  large  head  of  water  delivered  at  the  proper 
time  will  result  in  the  more  economical  use  even  in  a  dry  year  requiring 
less  water  than  the  5.70  acre  feet  delivered  this  year. 

Farm  No.  3  belongs  to  Mr.  J.  T.  Ledbetter,  and  is  located  under  the 
Pilot  Butte  Canal  on  the  Deschutes  River  near  Cline  Falls.  This  farm 
is  excellently  laid  out  and  is  evidently  managed  by  a  man  of  experience 
in  irrigation.  Mr.  Lovett  reports  the  soil  to  be  fairly  uniform  in  depth 
and  texture  and  a  medium  sandy  loam.  The  fields  are  in  excellent  shape 
and  so  located  that  definite  results  can  be  obtained  from  studies  of  the 
use  of  water.  Mr.  Ledbetter  writes  that  the  lack  of  a  sufficiently  large 
head  of  water  at  proper  times  made  results  of  the  season  very  unsatis- 
factory, causing  some  of  his  young  alfalfa  to  die.  He  used  on  his  tract 
2.44  acre  feet  per  acre  during  the  90-day  irrigation  season. 

The  table  on  the  following  page  is  a  record  of  the  water  used  on  these 
three  farms. 

In  1912,  Mr.  H.  P.  Farmer,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fortier 
of  the  Department  of  Agriculture  Experiment  Stations,  carried  on  cer- 
tain preliminary  studies  for  the  duty  of  water  on  the  Central  Oregon 
Project.  The  results  of  this  work  have  not  yet  been  made  public,  but  it 
may  be  said  that  nothing  in  them  conflicts  with  the  deductions  here 
drawn  for  the  duty  of  water  on  this  project. 

Fully  as  important  as  the  total  seasonal  use  of  water  is  the  maximum 
monthly  use.  It  is  a  recognized  fact  that  the  prime  essential  in  an 
irrigation  project  is  that  it  should  deliver  not  only  sufficient  total  amount 
of  water,  but  also  in  the  proper  time.  Flooding  the  lands  in  May  or 
August  will  not  relieve  a  shortage  in  July.  This  was  clearly  proven  in 
1913,  during  the  shortage  occurring  in  July.  July  is  the  month  when 
the  largest  percentage  of  water  is  used,  and  it  is  evident  that  the  demand 
of  this  month  determines  the  required  capacity  of  the  various  canals, 
regardless  whether  the  total  duty  is  1.5  acre  feet  or  2.0  acre  feet  in 
season. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


55 


It 


f 


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<M        <M 


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SSS£ 


x  w 

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b  o 


56 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


The  table  below  summarizes  all  the  data  so  far  discussed : 


Source  of  data 

||| 

g  3*0 

& 

ll 

Remarks 

Duty  of  water  for  average 
year  on  best  land,  based 
on  Prof.  Powers'  studies, 
delivered  at  company's 
weirs 

1.74 
2.20 

2.82 

1.80 
2.15 
1.80 
3.03 

41.1 
39.5 

34.8 

35.3 
37.3 
33.3 

.715 
.850 

.980 

.635 
.80 
.60 
1.03 

Includes   30%   for  losses  in 
farmers'      ditches.        Diversi- 
fied  crops. 

Duty   applies   to    78%    clay 
and    sandy    loam    soils,    22%  ; 
gravelly    soils;    50%    alfalfa, 
50%   grain. 

Average  use  on  whole  pro- 
ject as  computed  from  diver- 
sion records. 

Don  H.  Bark's  Idaho  inves- 
tigations 

1914  records  (mean  of  two 
farms  

Contract  duty  proportioned 
according  to  mean  of  three 
years'  records  

Mean   of  above  

Settlers'   contract 

Actual   use   in   1914 

The  figures  here  given  are  not  conclusive,  but  they  clearly  indicate 
that  the  contract  duty  of  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  in  90  days  is  not  too 
much  water  for  the  proper  reclamation  of  the  lands  on  this  project. 

Also,  it  is  evident  that  the  maximum  monthly  derpand  of  .60  acre  feet 
per  acre,  for  which  the  system  is  designed,  is  as  low  as  can  be  reasonably 
expected. 

In  order  to  determine  absolutely  the  proper  duty  of  water  measure- 
ments should  be  made  covering  a  period  of  three  or  four  years  on  60  or 
70  farms  well  distributed  throughout  the  segregation.  Thus  the  effect 
of  weather  and  difference  in  character  of  soil  may  be  noted.  These" 
studies  should  be  made  under  the  direction  of  an  agricultural  expert 
who  could  determine  the  best  methods  of  handling  water  and  many 
other  such  things  which  would  be  of  the  greatest  service  to  both  the 
company  and  the  farmer. 

As  the  project  becomes  more  settled  and  irrigators  become  more 
skillful  in  handling  water  it  is  reasonable  to  suppose  the  farmer  will 
use  water  more  economically  than  he  does  now.  Prof.  Powers'  studies 
above  mentioned,  would  indicate  that  doubtless  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  in 
90  days  might  be  sufficient  water  when  all  irrigable  lands  in  the  project 
will  have  been  irrigated  and  under  cultivation. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  57 

ADEQUACY  OF  SYSTEM 

GENERAL 

No  attempt  is  made  in  this  report  to  interpret  the  contract  between 
the  settler  and  the  irrigation  company  or  the  irrigation  company  and 
the  State. 

By  the  adequacy  of  the  canal  system,  as  considered  in  this  report, 
is  meant  its  ability  to  deliver  1.8  acre  feet  per  acre  in  90  days  on  the 
lands  listed  as  below: 

Under  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal 21,000  irrigable  acres. 

Under  the  Central  Oregon  Canal 37,000  irrigable  acres. 

These  figures  include  the  so-called  excess  acres.  Of  the  37,000  acres 
under  the  Central  Oregon  Canal,  8,000  acres  in  the  Powell  Butte  District 
were  planned  to  be  served  by  an  extension  of  the  North  Canal. 

The  estimates  for  the  completion  of  the  North  Canal  range  from 
$500,000  to  $1,000,000,  of  which  from  $150,000  to  $200,000  is  necessary 
for  the  construction  of  the  main  North  Canal  to  its  connection  with  the 
Central  Oregon  Canal. 

It  also  appears  that  the  company  has  had  at  least  the  customary 
difficulty  experienced  in  late  years  by  irrigation  projects  in  obtaining 
money  for  construction  work,  and  only  through  the  release  of  notes  by  the 
Desert  Land  Board  was  it  able  to  raise  $14,000  to  finance  a  small  amount 
of  enlargement  work  on  the  Central  Oregon  Canal.  All  notes  originally 
deposited  with  the  State  by  the  company  to  insure  the  construction  of 
canals  have  been  returned  to  the  company  and  the  State  is  thereby  unable 
to  render  any  further  financial  aid  in  this  way. 

Therefore,  it  appears  that  it  would  not  be  proper  to  assume  that  the 
North  Canal  will  serve  these  8,000  acres  and  so  they  are  included  as  a 
part  of  those  lands  for  which  water  must  be  provided  through  the 
Central  Oregon  Canal. 

PILOT  BUTTE  CANAL 

From  the  data  presented  under  "transmission  losses,"  it  will  be  seen 
that  an  amount  of  water  greater  than  306  second  feet  has  been  turned 
into  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal,  but  due  to  heavy  seepage  losses  1.8  acre 
feet  could  actually  be  delivered  to  only  13,160  acres.  This  amount  of 
water  was  used  on  only  7,493  acres  of  land  cultivated  in  1914. 

Only  on  account  of  heavy  seepage  losses  was  the  canal  capable  of 
carrying  this  amount  of  water  and  should  the  losses  be  reduced  it  would 
necessitate  greater  care  in  maintenance  than  has  heretofore  been  given 
to  this  canal  that  it  might  safely  carry  the  306  second  feet  which  is 
supposed  to  care  for  21,000  acres,  the  total  irrigable  area  under  the 
canal.  The  full  amount  of  water  which  the  Company  expects  to  deliver 
for  the  irrigation  of  21,000  acres  under  this  canal  was  furnished  during 
1914  for  the  irrigation  of  only  about  one-third  this  area. 

From  the  following  table  it  is  seen  that  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  is  now 
wholly  inadequate  to  supply  1.8  acre  feet  for  21,000  acres  thereunder 
and  will  be  inadequate  even  though  losses  were  reduced  to  40  per  cent. 


58 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


ADEQUACY  OF  PILOT  BUTTE  CANAL 

Actual   capacity   at    intake    in    second   feet   306 

Actual    amount   of   lands   it   can    serve   under   present   conditions   with    1.8 

acre  feet   in    90   days 13,160 

Amount  of  lands  to  be  served  with   1.8  acre  feet  in   90  days 21,000 

Amount    of    lands    sold    18,913 

Lands  which  can  be  served  with  1.8  acre  feet  in  90  days  with  40%  losses....  18,360 

CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 

The  capacity  of  the  Central  Oregon  Canal  in  relation  to  the  lands 
to  be  served  is  shown  as  follows: 

Actual   capacity  at   intake   in   second  feet 440 

Actual   amount   of   lands   it   can   serve   under   present   conditions   with    1  8 

acre   feet   in    90    days    23,700 

Total  amount  of  lands  to  be  served  with  1.8  acre  feet 37,134 

Total    amount   of   lands   sold   under   this   system 25,573 

Lands  which  can  be  served  with  1.8  acre  feet  in  90  days  with  40%  losses.  ..  26,400 

The  actual  figures  here  given  are  not  to  be  taken  as  exact,  but  are 

conservatively    large.      Sufficiency    in    capacity    does    not    always  exist 
throughout  the  entire  system  below  the  intake  on  the  main  canal. 


30,000 


r-Deficiency-? 


20,000- 


10,000- 


Central  Oregon  Canal  Pilot    Butte  Canal 

Fig.  7.  CAPACITIES  OF  CENTRAL  OREGON  AND  PILOT  BUTTE  CANALS 

(Expressed   as   acreage   to   which   canals   can   deliver   1.8   acre   feet   per  acre   in 
90  days,  measured  at  or  within   %  mile  of  each  40 -acre  tract) 


Many  uncertain  factors  which  enter  into  the  problem  such  as  seepage 
losses,  variations  in  seasonal  demand  for  dry  years,  lack  of  adequate 
maintenance,  etc.,  preclude  the  advisability  of  allowing  for  irrigable  land 
not  irrigated,  which  is  sometimes  permissible  upon  carefully  constructed 
projects. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  original  plans  of  reclamation  on 
which  some  construction  was  actually  prosecuted  were  not  approved  by 
the  board  and  in  changing  these  plans  former  construction  was  utilized 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  59 

although  it  did  not  entirely  fit  in  with  the  revised  plans.  Nor  were  the 
plans  as  approved  by  the  board  and  State  Engineer  rigidly  adhered  to 
in  construction. 

It  is,  however,  thoroughly  feasible  under  proper  management  to 
attain  capacities  sufficient  to  supply  lands  as  given  in  the  above  table 
without  an  excessive  cost. 

The  capacity  of  the  lateral  system  is  in  general  sufficient  for  all 
lands  included  thereunder.  On  account  of  the  size  of  the  laterals,  com- 
pared with  the  main  canals,  the  condition  of  maintenance  has  so  large 
an  effect  on  the  capacity  that  it  is  next  to  impossible  to  state  definitely 
the  capacity  of  these  laterals. 

It  may  be  safely  taken  that  with  very  few  exceptions  good  mainte- 
nance would  provide  lateral  systems  with  sufficient  capacity. 

COST  OF  REPAIRING  DEFICIENCIES  IN  CAPACITIES 

GENERAL 

The  problem  of  estimating  the  cost  of  making  the  main  canal  of 
sufficient  capacity  for  the  lands  thereunder  has  many  difficulties. 

First,  there  is  lack  of  detailed  data  regarding  the  cross  sections  and 
profile  of  the  present  location  and  condition  of  the  main  canals. 

Second,  it  is  uncertain  how  much  money  will  be  available  for 
maintenance  and  the  exact  amount  of  improved  capacity  resulting. 

Third,  careful  study  and  experiment  on  the  ground  may  reveal  the 
possibility  of  more  economical  construction. 

Fourth,  uncertainty  regarding  the  amount  of  land  to  be  considered 
under  the  canal. 

An  estimate  will,  however,  be  attempted  and  for  that  purpose  it  will 
be  assumed: 

First,  that  1.8  acre  feet  in  90  days  must  be  delivered  to  the  farmer 
within  one-half  mile  of  his  land. 

Second,  that  the  total  land  to  be  served  is  the  total  land  sold  and 
opened  for  sale,  including  unsold  patented  land  and  unsold  lands  included 
in  lists  for  patent. 

Third,  that  40  per  cent  losses  must  be  allowed  for. 

CENTRAL  OREGON  CANAL 

The  total  land  to  be  served  oft  the  above  basis  is  approximately 
33,000  acres.  This  requires  an  intake  capacity  for  40  per  cent  losses  of 
550  second  feet. 

On  the  basis  of  the  enlargement  work  done  on  the  Central  Oregon 
Canal  in  1913  and  1914,  banks  could  be  raised  sufficiently  and  the  canal 
bed  smoothed  up  for  about  $2,000  per  mile. 

Although  the  present  flume  may  possibly  stand  for  a  few  years  longer 
with  good  maintenance,  it  would  be  only  proper  to  include  the  cost  of  a 
new  flume.  A  new  wooden  box  flume  is  considered  here  and  would  be 
the  most  economical  structure  for  the  location  and  it  is  assumed  the 
flume  would  have  a  capacity  of  600  second  feet,  would  be  made  of  fir 
and  would  have  concrete  pedestal  footings.  Such  a  structure  properly 
maintained  should  last  for  20  years  and  cost  about  $35,000.00. 

Cementing  of  leaks,  repairs  of  intakes  and  headgates,  riprapping 
banks,  etc.,  is  estimated  at  $500.00  per  mile. 


60  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

Extending  lateral  system  to  provide  for  3,000  acres  more  than  what 
is  now  provided  for  can  be  estimated  at  $5.00  per  acre  only  because  the 
main  laterals  have  already  been  constructed.  The  nature  of  this  work 
being  very  uncertain  and  complicated,  it  is  decided  to  allow  a  large 
percentage  for  engineering  and  contingencies. 

COST   OF   ENLARGING   CENTRAL   OREGON    CANAL 
To  provide  for  33,000  acres,  including  8,000   acres  in  Powell  Butte 

Cost  of  raising  banks  20  miles  at  $2,000 $   40,000 

Cost  of  rebuilding  Pilot  Butte  Flume 35,000 

Cost  of  cementing  leaks,  20  miles  at  $500 10,000 

Cost  of  lateral  system  for  3,000  acres  at  $5.00 15,000 


$100,000 
For  engineering  and  contingencies,   25  per  cent $   25,000 


Total $125.000 

PILOT  BUTTE  CANAL 

The  Pilot  Butte  Canal  with  the  North  Canal  must  provide  for  21,000 
acres.  This  requires  350  second  feet  at  the  intake.  It  will  be  somewhat 
expensive  to  reduce  the  excess  losses  on  this  system  as  they  are  extremely 
excessive.  Accordingly,  $2,000  per  mile  for  cementing  leaks,  repair  of 
intakes,  headgates,  etc.,  is  made  in  addition  to  $1,000  for  raising  banks. 
The  estimate  for  the  North  Canal  is  taken  from  page  27  of  this  report. 

COST  OF  REPAIRS  PILOT  BUTTE  CANAL  TO  PROVIDE  FOR  21,000  ACRES 

North  Canal  improvement  $  16,000 

Raising  banks,  cementing  leaks,  repairs,  improvements  in  capacity,   etc., 

18  miles  at  $3,000  per  mile 54,000 

Engineering  and  contingencies,    25   per  cent 17,500 


Total $   87,500 

SUMMARY  OF  COST 

Total,  Pilot  Butte  Canal $   87,500 

Total,   Central   Oregon   Canal 125,000 

Total  cost  of  repairs  to  put  the  system  in  good  state 

of  repair  for  54,000  acres  of  land $212,500 

Total  receipts  from  sale  of  8,500  irrigable  acres  at  $40 $340,000 

Total  recepits  from  sale  of  waste  acres  at  $2.50. 7,000 


Total  receipts  $347,000          $347,000 

Total   cost   of   repair $212,500 

Total  sale  cost  at  10  per  cent 34,700 


$247,200          $247,200 


Total  profit  $  99,800 

It  thus  appears  that  as  a  business  policy  this  betterment  work  would 
be  profitable  to  the  company  as  well  as  to  the  settler. 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 


61 


OPERATION  AND  MAINTENANCE 

GENERAL 

The  operation  and  maintenance  side  of  irrigation  has  not  received  the 
consideration  rightfully  due  this  subject.  Too  often  has  it  been  either 
slighted  or  utterly  neglected  in  the  construction  with  the  result  that  the 
settler  has  unsatisfactory  service,  heavy  maintenance  charges  and  extra 
assessments  to  pay  in  later  years. 

The  limits  of  this  report  will  not  permit  an  exhaustive  study  of  this 
matter,  but  it  is  considered  pertinent  to  give  some  idea  of  the  present 
cost  of  maintenance  and  operation  together  with  what  may  be  expected 
under  certain  revised  conditions. 

MAINTENANCE 

Officials  of  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Company  have  stated  that 
from  $22,000  to  $25,000  per  year  has  been  collected  in  maintenance  fees. 
This  sum  is,  as  shown  by  the  following  table,  not  sufficient  for  the 
proper  handling  of  ordinary  maintenance  work,  and  is  entirely  inadequate 
for  both  maintenance  and  renewals.  The  estimates  in  the  table  are 
obtained  from  a  study  of  the  costs  for  maintaining  similar  canals  on 
other  projects,  and  the  figures  given  are  believed  to  be  reasonably 
correct.  They  apply  to  maintenance  only,  and  allow  nothing  for  sinking 
fund  for  renewals  of  wooden  structures.  Nor  is  any  estimate  included 
covering  the  cost  of  bringing  the  present  canals  up  to  standard  conditions. 


Capacity  of  canal 

Miles  length 

Maintenance 
dollars  per  mile 
per  year 

Total 

50  second  feet  and  over  

55 

$300.00 

$16,500.00 

50  second  feet  to  10  second  feet  

105 

60.00 

6,300.00 

10  second  feet  or  less  

261 

20.00 

5,220.00 

Total  

$28,020.00 

"There  are  about  33,000  linear  feet  of  wooden  flumes  and  wood  stave 
pipes,  also  about  1,700  weirs  and  intakes.  The  life  of  much  of  this 
wooden  construction  is  relatively  short. 

A  conservatively  low  cost  of  replacements  and  renewals  on  the  basis  of 
good  design  as  approved  by  the  United  States  Reclamation  Service  is 
about  $130,000.  This  includes  the  reconstruction  of  the  main  Pilot  Butte 
flume.  It  is  hardly  probable  that  any  policy  looking  forward  to  the 
reconstruction  of  this  wooden  construction  work  has  been  adopted  by  the 
company  as  it  is  evident  that  the  reported  receipts  from  maintenance  have 
not  been  sufficient  to  defray  a  proper  operation  and  maintenance  expense. 
The  condition  of  wooden  structures  on  this  project  is  not  on  the  whole 
satisfactory.  Prior  to  the  building  of  the  railroad  to  Bend,  most  of  the 
wood  used  in  construction  there,  was  the  native  yellow  pine.  It  seems 
to  have  been  customary  to  estimate  the  safe  working  strength  of  this 
pine  timber  as  700  or  more  pounds  per  square  inch.  From  tests  made  in 
the  Forestry  Laboratory  in  Seattle,  Washington,  results  of  which  have 
not  yet  been  published,  500  pounds  or  less  seems  a  more  proper  allowance. 


62  REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT 

Complete  tests  have  not  as  yet  been  published  but  observations  of  this 
timber,  under  working  conditions,  and  conversation  with  timber  dealers 
bring  out  the  following  facts : 

First,  yellow  pine  timber  shrinks  a  great  deal  and  has  a  rather 
large  percentage  of  knots.  The  presence  of  knots  has  a  decidedly  dele- 
terious effect  on  the  strength  of  the  wood,  due  to  the  soft  wood  shrinking 
away  from  the  hardwood  knots  so  that  they  fall  out. 

Second,  the  pine  wood  apparently  absorbs  moisture  more  readily  than 
does  fir  and,  therefore,  since  the  effect  of  moisture  is  to  decrease  the 
strength  of  timber  this  pine  wood  is  especially  susceptible  to  decrease  of 
strength  where  it  is  liable  to  become  wet  as  in  flume  construction. 

Third,  it  rots  quickly  when  in  contact  with  moist  earth. 

Fourth,  the  strength  of  the  good  dry  timber  seems  to  have  been  over 
estimated,  judging  from  the  prevailing  design  in  construction. 

Therefore,  it  appears  from  the  above  that  if  yellow  pine  is  used  for 
construction  purposes  the  unit  stress  should  not  be  greater  than  500 
pounds  per  square  inch  and  where  adverse  conditions  exist  400  pounds 
per  square  inch  should  be  used.  However,  since  yellow  pine  has  a  greater 
value  than  fir  for  some  purposes  its  market  value  is  but  little  less  than 
fir  and  it  is  economy  to  use  fir  for  structural  purposes. 

The  maintenance  of  the  Pilot  Butte  flume  and  some  of  the  larger 
flumes  has  been  very  good  indeed  but  even  good  maintenance  cannot 
altogether  overcome  defects  in  construction  such  as  are  found  in  these 
structures.  The  condition  of  smaller  flumes  is  very  poor.  Many  are 
out  of  line  and  leaky,  with  poor  foundations  and  rotted  timbers.  Most  of 
the  construction  was  done  between  1905  and  1907  and  if  an  average  life 
of  18  years  is  assumed,  it  is  to  be  expected  that  within  nine  years  from 
this  date  the  entire  amount  of  $130,000  must  be  spent.  Therefore,  a 
sinking  fund  to  net  $14,400  yearly  to  replace  structures  should  be 
provided. 

OPERATION 

Outlined  below  is  an  organization  plan  which  may  be  expected  to 
operate  the  present  system  to  the  greatest  advantage. 

To  most  economically  operate  any  irrigation  system,  especially  such 
as  the  Central  Oregon  Irrigation  Project,  it  is  necessary  to  collect  and 
use  more  complete  records  than  have  heretofore  been  collected.  Thus 
bad  methods  in  operation  are  discovered  and  can  be  corrected,  good 
methods  can  be  developed,  general  efficiency  of  the  whole  system'  vastly 
increased  resulting  in  lower  maintenance  charges  and  better  distribution 
of  water.  Therefore,  in  this  estimate  sufficient  clerk  hire  is  allowed 
to  permit  the  keeping  of  complete  records. 

Per  year 
General    irrigation    manager $   3,000 


Water   superintendent   and   assistant   manager. 

Engineer  in  charge  of  maintenance  and  construction 

Engineer's    assistant    

Bookkeeper 

Clerk    

Stenographer 


1,800 
1,800 
1,200 
1,200 
1,000 
850 

Three  permanent  maintenance  foremen  at   $1,000.. 3,000 

Twenty  ditch  riders  at  $75  per  month,   four  months 6,000 

Two  general  utility  men  at  $850 1,700 

Auto   hire,   transportation 1,000 

Office   supplies,   printing,   auditing,    etc 1,000 

$23,550 


REPORT  ON  CENTRAL  OREGON  PROJECT  63 

Undoubtedly  the  present  organization  is  not  so  elaborate  or  expensive, 
neither  is  it  so  efficient,  nor  does  it  have  the  lands  to  care  for  that  this 
proposed  organization  is  to  care  for.  The  estimated  costs  of  present 
operation  organization  of  the  company  is  in  the  neighborhood  of  $11,000, 
exclusive  of  salaries  of  general  manager  and  chief  engineer,  and  of 
expense  for  auto  hire  and  office  and  field  supplies. 

The  plan  outlined  above  is  patterned  after  that  of  the  United  States 
Reclamation  Service,  only  lower  salaries  are  paid. 

Recapitulating  the  costs  of  operation  and  maintenance  on  this  project 
we  have  as  below. 

Operation     $23,500 

Maintenance     „. 28,000 

Sinking  fund  to  replace  structures 14,400 

Total    $65,900  called  $66,000 

This  cost  should  be  distributed  over  30,000  acres  under  the  Central 
Oregon  Canal  and  21,000  acres  under  the  Pilot  Butte  Canal  as  this  is 
the  acreage  which  these  canals  can  be  called  upon  to  serve. 

The  total  cost  of  $66,000  amounts  to  $1.30  .per  acre.  The  program 
here  outlined  intelligently  carried  out,  will  in  the  course  of  a  few  years 
reduce  the  maintenance  to  about  $20,000  or  less  and  the  sinking  fund  to 
$7,000  or  $6,000  which  reduces  the  cost  to  about  97  cents  per  acre.  The 
new  structures  can,  without  excessive  cost,  be  made  to  last  a  full  20 
years  or  longer,  the  sinking  fund  thereby  reduced.  Canals  carefully 
studied  in^  operation,  and  maintenance  carefully  planned  thereupon  will 
reduce  trouble  each  year  by  virtue  of  the  permanent  improvements 
effected.  Thereby  under  the  direction  of  an  experienced  manager  the 
cost  of  maintenance  should  steadily  decrease. 

In  conclusion  it  is  believed  that  although  the  physical  condition  of  this 
project  is  unsatisfactory  and  it  will  entail  considerable  expense  to 
place  it  in  proper  shape  to  deliver  water  to  all  the  lands  open  for  sale 
thereunder,  such  is  the  excellent  character  of  the  soil  and  favorable  crop 
market  conditions  that  the  sale  of  the  unsold  lands  offers  favorable 
financial  inducements  to  the  company  to  complete  and  improve  the  system 
in  accordance  with  the  plans  herein  suggested. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JOHN  DUBUIS,  Inspector. 


YC  fed  I 


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